Contact: Rebecca Cruse, Deputy Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 2, 2025

Grant funding available for art projects & programs

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Arts Council (SDAC) announces grant funding is available for South Dakota artists, arts organizations, and other nonprofits for arts projects and programs throughout the state. The application deadline is March 1, 2025.

Applicants should begin the process by visiting SDAC’s Applicant Portal to review the Guide to Grants, eligibility requirements, granting criteria, and the application procedure before starting the application process. A link to the Applicant Portal is also provided on the front page of SDAC’s website at artscouncil.sd.gov. 

South Dakota artists may apply for funding in one of the following five grant categories:

• Artist Fellowships of $5,000 are awarded to South Dakota artists of exceptional talent in any discipline or medium to recognize past artistic achievement and encourage future artistic growth. No match required;
• Artist Project Grants of up to $2,000 support individual artist projects that have an accessible public engagement component. A cash match is required;
• Artist Collaboration Grants non-matching grants of $6,000 encourage South Dakota artists to collaborate with other artists in the creation of a joint project or activity that will significantly benefit the artists and the state;
• Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grants promote the continuation of folk and traditional arts and culture by providing up to $5,000 in support of a master folk artist to teach qualified apprentices; and
• Artist Career Development Grants of $2,000 support individual artists’ development and career advancement opportunities. No match required.

South Dakota 501c3 nonprofit organizations and government entities may seek funding support in only the Project Grant category:

• Project Grants for nonprofit organizations support programs and activities with accessible public engagement components. A cash match is required, so organizations may request up to $5,000 in funding, covering no more than 50 percent of the total project costs.

Applicants have until March 1 to apply for grant support for projects and activities that will occur during the grant period of July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026. Applications must be submitted through the South Dakota Arts Council’s online grants system. Hard-copy applications submitted through the mail will not be accepted.

Artists applying in the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship, Artist Collaboration, and Artist Fellowship programs may provide portions of the application via video narrative as an alternative to the written application. This option for artists in these grant categories is offered to make the process more accessible.

SDAC staff will be available to assist in developing grant proposals for artists and nonprofit organizations. Contact the South Dakota Arts Council by calling 605-773-3301 or by emailing sdac@state.sd.us with questions.

The mission of the Arts Council, the State Arts Agency organized under the South Dakota Department of Tourism, is to advance South Dakota’s artistic and cultural vitality through funding, connection, and resources. The SDAC receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the State of South Dakota.

The South Dakota Department of Tourism is comprised of Travel South Dakota and the South Dakota Arts Council. The Department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen.

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