National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Mary Anne Carter made her first visit to South Dakota recently at the invitation of Arts South Dakota and the state arts agency. Carter, who has served as NEA Chair during both of the Trump administrations, is dedicated to actively touring U.S. states, strengthening the federal agency’s partnership with arts organizations across the country.
The NEA is a vital part of arts support in our state. Over the last five years, the NEA has distributed more than $13.5 million in federal funding to South Dakota organizations through direct awards and state and regional partnerships. In fiscal year 2026, eight South Dakota organizations received direct NEA grants supporting youth music education, arts workshops and leadership. Most importantly, NEA grants to South Dakota have been increasing during recent years, acknowledging the strength of our state’s arts programs and the importance of federal aid to sustain the creative ecosystem in rural states—a goal Carter has made a high priority for her agency.
Carter’s visit to Rapid City included stops at the Suzie Cappa Art Center and The Journey Museum, followed by an afternoon fireside chat and grants workshop at the Dahl Arts Center. At the Suzie Cappa Art Center, Carter met with the folks at Black Hills Works to learn how their studio and gallery space empowers people of all abilities to create, display and sell their artwork. She also discussed federal support and venue partnerships with leadership from the Chamber Music Festival of the Black Hills. Carter emphasized that traveling outside of D.C. is vital for the NEA to evaluate how federal grant dollars are put to work, particularly across rural regions…