A conversation with Dale Lamphere

Artist Laureate is new chair of Arts South Dakota

Arts Alive: As the new chair of the Arts South Dakota board, what are your main priorities for the year ahead?

Dale Lamphere: My priorities for the coming year can be summed up with one word: INCLUSION. As advocates for the creative and expressive edge of our society, we realize that creative impulses exist in every facet of human experience. We want to acknowledge, encourage and advocate for these creative efforts wherever they originate. Specifically, I am seeking more involvement from the business community, better service to arts education, more opportunity for working artists and more recognition of our shared cultural heritage. Among many other efforts, South Dakota has already taken significant steps to include Native nations in our voice and has for the past 10 years created a collection of original art from South Dakota artists that will be an important legacy for future generations.

Dale C. Lamphere with his granite and stainless steel sculpture “Gate of Antiquity.”

Why is an organization like Arts South Dakota so important to the future of our state?

South Dakota is rich in beauty and diversity. I believe that until we recognize diversity as strength, we cannot reach our full potential. We will flourish in the future to the degree that we celebrate and develop these qualities. The entire mission of Arts South Dakota is to advocate for not only what we traditionally think of as the arts (theater, music, dance and visual art), but also for innovation and creative thinking throughout our society. This, along with our strong work ethic and values, will lead us to a better future.

What role can Arts South Dakota play in arts education across South Dakota?

At age 4, I was involved in an experimental program at the University of Wyoming called “nursery school.” To this day, I recall specific experiences involving art. As a young college student I had the opportunity to visit museums around the world. I realized how their contents demonstrated the values and character of each society. This inspired me to become an artist. Creative thinking is a key to progress in society and can be applied to all vocations. It begins early. Every year Arts South Dakota sponsors an Arts Education Institute that encourages inclusion of the arts in the curriculum. Because the arts and culture industry adds tens of millions to the South Dakota economy, I think a strong case can be made for more attention in this area.

Why is it important for a working artist like you to serve on the Arts South Dakota board?

In my 50 years as a working artist, I’ve found that science, technology, engineering, ART and math are indeed woven together in a STEAM curriculum. Each of these subject areas contains elements of the other. Personally, I could not create without a solid background in all of them. To me, the arts are a serious profession to which I am completely committed. I want to encourage young people to consider creative thinking in all vocations and to pursue their artistic passion as a profession. We have several working artists on the Arts South Dakota board, so there is a genuine empathy for the efforts of emerging artists.

As Artist Laureate, have you seen impacts in our state from arts advocacy?

Over the years I have watched the arts grow, through the efforts and advocacy of many people, into an industry that generates millions of dollars and enhances the lives of participants, patrons and the public. Personally, I’ve seen the increasing power of art to influence society in the response to the Dignity sculpture on the Missouri River, and we have all seen it over the years in the monumental carvings of the Black Hills, which form the foundation of our tourism industry. The arts reflect and affect our values, our understanding and our economy. The arts provide an opportunity to help us have a better future. Let’s go there.