Location: South Dakota

From 2019-2022, Arts Midwest served as operating partner for the Bush Foundation’s Community Creativity Cohort program. This partnership provided an unparalleled opportunity to connect with 40 incredible organizations who use creativity to connect and strengthen their communities. Here’s what we learned along the way.

Chefs Kimberly Tilsen-Brave Heart, Sean Sherman, and Bryce Stevenson are growing the Indigenous Food Sovereignty movement through their Native food-centered initiatives.

Colors, traditions, and prayers are all pieced into Benson’s star quilts. Her craft has been encouraged by the women in her family.

Local and national attendees participated and people danced with and for their communities at the inaugural powwow of its kind in western South Dakota.

A rock camp “aims to empower Indigenous girls, two-spirited, transgender, and gender diverse youth” in a safe space where they can raise their voices — and crank the amps.

From Rapid City to Pine Ridge Reservation, the Arts Midwest Board of Directors explored South Dakota's rich cultural and creative tapestry during their June 2023 meeting.

A way of revitalizing the town of less than 200 people, the Museum welcomes a large community to Roslyn every summer.

In Indigenous culture, the arts aren’t mere entertainment but a vital practice grounded in community. Those arts include hoop dancing, a form of storytelling through movement. Starr Chief Eagle is among a generation of women making the traditionally male practice their own.

Finnish music sensation Okra Playground brought its captivating and charming sound to South Dakota, connecting cultures through music.

Taking big leaps, South Dakotans are exploring the community building power of skateboarding, from Pine Ridge to Sioux Falls.