The Rapid City Arts Council is one of 62 organizations nationwide selected to receive a 2024-2025 National Endowment for the Arts Big Read grant.

The NEA Big Read grant will fund a community reading program focusing on The Bear by Andrew Krivak and the theme “Where We Live,” in collaboration with the Rapid City Public Library.
We are incredibly excited to present 'Big Read Rapid City' alongside the public library, The Bear is a great book, and this collaboration welcomes all kinds of readers and partners to enjoy a free all-ages literary celebration. Festivities will kick off this winter with a book giveaway, with many other engaging events to be announced.

​Jacqui Dietrich
RCAC Executive Director 
This partnership is of particular interest to the Rapid City Public Library, and is in keeping with the library’s mission and strategic plan. It’s a joint effort to support and encourage literacy and engage in community conversations around a shared topic. We are looking forward to discussions around The Bear by Andrew Krivak, and making the books available from both the library and the bookmobile.

Terri Davis
​Rapid City Public Library Director 
The NEA Big Read brings the transformative experience of reading to an entire community. This year’s grantees, including the Rapid City Arts Council, are taking themes off the page and using creative programming to navigate difficult topics, explore new perspectives, and strengthen bonds between neighbors.

Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD,
Chair of the NEA

Where We Live
Big Read Rapid City events will start at the library and Dahl Arts Center and be held at diverse venues throughout the city, free and open to the public. Programs will include book discussions, workshops, an art exhibition, film screenings, performances, and educational events. The program will involve the area’s performing arts organizations, educational institutions, and naturalist, outdoor, and land management organizations, providing opportunities for the entire community to enjoy the unique Big Read Rapid City experience.
Since 2006, the National Endowment for the Arts has funded more than 1,800 NEA Big Read programs, providing more than $25 million to organizations nationwide. In addition, NEA Big Read activities have reached every Congressional district in the country. Over the past 15+ years, grantees have leveraged more than $57 million in local funding to support their NEA Big Read programs. More than 6 million Americans have attended an NEA Big Read event, over 100,000 volunteers have participated at the local level, and over 40,000 community organizations have partnered to make NEA Big Read activities possible. For more information about the NEA Big Read, including book and author information, podcasts, and videos, visit arts.gov/neabigread.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE RAPID CITY ARTS COUNCIL

The Rapid City Arts Council staff and Board of Directors thanks the City of Rapid City for continuously supporting our mission and the arts. The generosity of our many volunteers, donors, and members drives our mission to champion inclusive, innovative and inspiring arts opportunities to enrich the communities we serve.  Additional support comes from the South Dakota Community Foundation, Black Hills Community Foundation, and the South Dakota Arts Council with funds from the State of South Dakota through the Department of Tourism and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Dahl Arts Center is a municipal facility of the City of Rapid City and is managed by the Rapid City Arts Council on behalf of the Rapid City community.
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