SUPPORT FROM PIERRE
FROM ARTS SOUTH DAKOTA AND THE SOUTH DAKOTA ARTS COUNCIL
The pandemic hit South Dakota’s creative community hard. Fortunately, programs established by the South Dakota State Legislature and Governor’s Office have made a big difference. The Arts South Dakota Emergency Relief Fund program was further supported by the South Dakota Arts Council, delivering economic assistance to 138 artists, creatives and culture bearers. This newsletter tells how it made a difference in their lives! Thank you to our leaders in Pierre for recognizing the importance of South Dakota’s artists to our economy and our culture.
71
of South Dakotans attend at least one arts event per year *
.4%
“Since my primary livelihood is derived from touring — mostly to schools — COVID had a dramatic negative cash flow impact for me. I have performed quite a bit via Zoom, but revenue-wise it’s just a small fraction of what I would derive from live touring. I’m just thankful that my family has done well thus far during this harrowing episode in human history.” — Kevin Locke, Lakota hoop dancer, musician and storyteller from the Standing Rock Reservation.
RENEWAL IN A PANDEMIC COVID brought a creative metamorphosis for Deadwood artist and writer Mark Zimmerman. “Initially, I pulled back, and my creative output dropped to nothing, but I soon embarked on a new body of work,” he says.
66 • South Dakota Magazine
Zimmerman was already known for landscape abstractions of the Northern Plains. As the pandemic swept South Dakota, he began a series of ink transfer drawings of corvids (ravens and crows). “The idea of drawing corvids, which are often thought of as harbingers of death and destruction in response to COVID, captured my imagination,” he explains. Even as he began work on the corvids, his income plummeted. “Artist relief funds helped me bridge an income gap when gallery sales declined to zero, schools closed, and I was later fearful of working in schools. I have sought to return as is possible to a pre-COVID world, but I bring a renewed sense of the importance of art in society and the lives of individuals.”
An estimated 30% of Native peoples are practicing or emerging artists ** Corvid 38 Arch
GET INVOLVED!
EVERY $1 RETURNS $21.27
the state of South Dakota invests in the arts *
SINGING FROM THE RANCH Musician and writer Eliza Blue looks back on 2020 and sees good things. “The positives from COVID were an increase in virtual opportunities to connect with other artists — especially other rural artists — which has led to new friendships, inspiration, and collaboration,” says the Bison rancher’s wife. Still, the pandemic took a toll financially. “I was scheduled to release my first book in May 2020, and all book events had to be cancelled which definitely affected sales. Most venues and festivals also shut down, so I wasn’t able to play in-person shows or tour. I had planned to work on a new album in 2020 and release it in 2021, but I wasn’t able to because most studios were also shut down.” Eliza invested aid from the Artist Emergency Relief Fund in equipment for a
home studio in a tiny house on their Perkins County ranch. She intends to record her next album there, and offer space to other musicians. Another silver lining for the Bison singer is her new PBS show, “Wish You Were Here with Eliza Blue,” now in its second season. The show, which Eliza describes as a concert-style traveling show that takes viewers to off-the-beaten-path locations, was recently nominated for a Midwest Emmy.
“The money was deeply appreciated. It gave a sense of someone caring about you. It helped with everyday expenses and just a feeling I was not alone and someone still cared. Once things started to reopen, the relief funds this year helped with travel expenses and booth fees for a show in Sioux Falls this November, and helped with booth fees for a one day show in July here in Rapid City.” —Donald Montileaux, Lakota visual artist
Source: *South Dakota Arts Council FY19; **First Peoples Fund
Dec. 3–March 4: Governor’s 9th Biennial Art Exhibition. Showcase featuring the best work from our state’s most talented artists. Dahl Arts Center, Rapid City. TheDahl.org. Feb. 9: Arts Advocacy Day at the Legislature. Meet at the Capitol to advocate for and celebrate the arts. Peruse the Governor’s Student Art Exhibition and enjoy music in the rotunda from noon to 1 p.m. State Capitol, Pierre. Visit ArtsSouthDakota.org for details. May 19–21: State Arts Conference. Workshops, panel discussions, and sessions focusing on racial equity, arts education, fundraising, local arts councils, grant-writing, marketing/social media, and more. Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn, Rapid City. Visit ArtsSouthDakota.org for more information.
BECOME A MEMBER! Support the arts by becoming a member of Arts South Dakota! Visit ArtsSouthDakota.org to learn more and give today!
Arts South Dakota, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, enriches the lives of South Dakotans and their visitors, by advancing the arts through service, education and advocacy.
The South Dakota Arts Council is a state agency serving South Dakotans and their communities through the arts.
Arts Alive is being presented in partnership with South Dakota Magazine. PO Box 2496 Sioux Falls, SD 57101 605-252-5979 info@ArtsSouthDakota.org www.ArtsSouthDakota.org