01/22/2006

South Dakota Arts Council announces grant deadline

The South Dakota Arts Council (SDAC) will award grants to South Dakota artists, arts organizations and other nonprofit groups at it April 2006 meeting. The application deadline is March 1 for projects and activities that will occur between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007.

Individual artists representing all arts disciplines may apply for Artist Grants, Artist Collaboration Grants, or Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grants to assist them in a variety of activities.

Artist Grants support professional visual, performing and literary artists in their efforts to set aside time to pursue their work, to purchase materials and equipment, to produce new work, or to market themselves by reaching new audiences. Artist Collaboration Grants encourage South Dakota artists in any arts discipline to collaborate between themselves or with an out-of-state artist in the creation of a joint project or activity with significant benefits to the artists and a substantial impact to the state. Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grants promote the continuation of traditional arts and culture by providing financial support to master folk artists to teach qualified apprentices.

South Dakota nonprofit organizations may seek funding support through several different grant programs.

Project Grants assist eligible nonprofit organizations in the presentation of an activity or series of activities in any arts discipline benefiting the general public. Importation of Musicians Grants enable small South Dakota orchestras to improve the quality of their performance seasons by importing musicians from outside their local communities. Organizations with a statewide mission that supports SDAC’s goals and objectives are sometimes invited to apply for funding through the Statewide Services Program. Organizations currently receiving a 2-year Arts Challenge Grant need not re-apply this year. The next Challenge Grant deadline is March 1, 2007.

Complete guidelines and application forms for each of these opportunities are available in the Council’s Guide to Grants. Copies of the most recent edition of the Guide were widely distributed a year ago. Additional copies may be obtained by writing the South Dakota Arts Council at 800 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501, by calling 1-800-423-6665, or by e-mailing sdac@state.sd.us. Grant application forms are also available at www.artscouncil.sd.gov.