Boasting the largest sculpture in the world, the Mount Rushmore State supports its own unique arts and entertainment scene. Sioux Falls and Rapid City are home to most of the artistic spots in the state, but that doesn't mean the state is limited. There are a number of artistic attractions that South Dakota has to offer the visitor.
Crafts
South Dakota's crafts draw quite a bit from its Native American population and heritage. Many museums, galleries, cultural centers, and shops throughout the state offer a variety of Native American arts and crafts. Jewelry, headdresses, moccasins, dream catchers, and containers are just a few of the items you may find at these places. The Indian Museum of North America in Crazy Horse displays thousands of artifacts from numerous North American tribes, while the Akta Lakota Museum in Chamberlain offers both historic and contemporary arts and crafts.
One of the best collections of Plains Indians arts and crafts can be found at the Prairie Edge Trading Company and Galleries, located in Rapid City. Prairie Edge was founded to preserve and document the history of the Northern Plains Indians, and also to provide an outlet for Native American artisans to display and sell their wares.
Other types of crafts can be seen at craft shows, quilt shows, and ethnic festivals. The largest craft and quilt shows tend to take place in cities like Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Custer, but smaller communities host craft and quilt shows as well. Experience traditional Czech crafts and culture at the annual Czech Days festival, held in Tabor over three days in June. Czech Days is considered one of the country's top events held during that month.
Dance
Dance has always played an important role in Native American culture, and it's still true in South Dakota today. For visitors who'd like to soak up the sights and sounds of traditional Native American dance, powwows are the perfect destination. Quite a few powwows take place across the state each year, from spring to fall.
At dance studios, visitors can attend a dance performance or possibly take a class themselves. Here you'll find everything from ballet to hip-hop. A few of the state's dance studios include Dance Gallery of South Dakota, located in Sioux Falls, and the Black Hills Dance Theatre in Rapid City.
Film
With so much unspoiled land and interesting terrain, South Dakota attracts filmmakers looking for unusual settings and gorgeous scenery. Who could forget Cary Grant crawling over Mount Rushmore in Alfred Hitchcock's classic film North by Northwest? In more recent film history, one of the most popular films shot in South Dakota is Dances With Wolves, which was filmed entirely in the state. The 1990 film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
Travelers in search of a film festival have only two choices in South Dakota (as of this writing). The annual South Dakota Film Festival, held in Aberdeen, focuses on screening independent films that haven't received the publicity of major films. One of their primary objectives is to emphasize films from the Great Plains region; however, they always look for the best films submitted, regardless of location of origin.
The Oscar Micheaux Film and Book Festival takes place every August in Gregory. The festival celebrates the earliest and most prolific African American filmmaker, Oscar Micheaux, who settled a homestead in Gregory around the turn of the 20th century. In addition to his films, Micheaux wrote and self-published seven novels. His work sought to portray African Americans in a real, positive way which he felt the mainstream ignored, as well as to delve into controversial subjects. The festival draws attendees from all over to take part in events led by scholars, historians, filmmakers, and writers.
Literature
In addition to the Oscar Micheaux Film and Book Festival, bookhounds will find a few other literary events around the state. The South Dakota Festival of Books brings writers, publishing industry professionals, readers, and vendors together every September in Sioux Falls. Most of its events are free to the public. In Vermillion, the student organization Vermillion Literary Project (at the University of South Dakota) hosts a number of public events, such as poetry slams, a poetry festival, contests, and a writer's conference. Throughout the state, universities, colleges, libraries, and bookstores hold workshops, book discussions, book signings, and more for literature lovers.
The most famous author from South Dakota is Laura Ingalls Wilder. Though born in Wisconsin, Wilder spent much of her childhood in De Smet, South Dakota. Her experiences growing up here led to her eventual writing and publication of the Little House on the Prairie book series. Ingalls fans can visit the Ingalls Homestead in DeSmet from spring through fall. Besides the reconstructed homestead buildings, the site's attractions include the Little Prairie School, pioneer activities, and covered wagon rides.
David Allan Evans is the Poet Laureate of South Dakota. He's also the Writer-in-Residence and a Professor of English at South Dakota State University. Evans has authored five books of poetry, including Decent Dangers, Train Windows, and Hanging Out With the Crows. Visitors to the Mount Rushmore State may have the opportunity to hear Evans speak at one of the state's literary events.
Music
The music scene in South Dakota is a bit limited. Despite this, the state has still spawned a few notable musicians, including Grammy winner Shawn Colvin and the Nakota Sioux blues band Indigenous, who received two Native American Music Awards and had three different albums chart in the Billboard Top Five Blues Albums.
Sioux Falls and Rapid City have the most active music communities, including a symphony orchestra in each city, as well as the South Dakota Jazz Orchestra and several other music groups and organizations.
Music festivals are a good way to hear some tunes in the Mount Rushmore State. A few of the state's music festivals include the Black Hills Bluegrass Festival, Hills Alive Music Festival, and the Corn Palace Festival, which presents major headliners like Rick Springfield and Lorrie Morgan.
One excellent festival to attend is the Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Festival, held every year over the third weekend of July. Free to the public, the festival has been designated as a Top 100 event by the American Bus Association. Visitors will enjoy a wide variety of music, as well as a beer garden, wine tent, and many food and craft vendors.
Theater
Theatrical entertainment in South Dakota ranges from professional touring productions at large performing arts centers to shows put on by community theater groups. Travelers can also enjoy children's theater, college and university productions, and dinner theater. Performances can be found in a number of communities across the state, though the greatest number of choices are in Sioux Falls and Rapid City.
Two of the state's theaters are the Black Hills Playhouse, located in Rapid City in Custer State Park, and the Augustana Theatre Company, located in Sioux Falls. The BHP, founded in 1946, is associated with and financially aided by the University of South Dakota. Similarly, the Augustana Theatre Company is part of the Augustana College campus.
Visual Arts
South Dakota's roster of visual artists ranges from noted Native American modern artist Oscar Howe to sculptor John Lopez. Visitors who love the fine arts will find works by these artists and more at a selection of art museums, galleries, and public installations across the state.
For instance, the South Dakota Art Museum, located in Brookings on the South Dakota State University campus, was founded in 1970. Its focus is on preserving and promoting the artistry of South Dakota to the viewing public. They have a number of exhibits and permanent collections that enhance this goal.
And, of course, no trip to South Dakota would be complete without a trip to see Mount Rushmore, where four great American Presidents have been immortalized in the mountain's stone face.
To experience a wide variety of arts and entertainment in one place, visit the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science in Sioux Falls or The Dahl Arts Center in Rapid City. Colleges and universities also offer diverse opportunities, though they'll be spread out on campus.
Though South Dakota's main attraction is its amazing scenery, travelers in search of cultural pursuits have a number of options to choose from. If the arts and entertainment are high on your priority list, then spending some time in Sioux Falls or Rapid City would be your best choice. But even while visiting in South Dakota's smaller areas, you'll find artistic gems to treasure during your vacation.
