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RAPID CITY ARTS COUNCIL
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BIG READ
RAPID CITY

Thank You for Reading With Your Neighbors:
Over 900 Books Distributed to our Community

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THE BEAR
​By Andrew Krivak

The Bear by Andrew Krivak is a novel set in a world where humanity has vanished, leaving behind only one man and his daughter. They live a simple, harmonious life in the wilderness, relying on the land for survival and following the rhythms of nature. They live off the land, with the father teaching her essential survival skills and his understand nature.
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After her father passes away, the girl sets out on a journey to honor his wishes. Along the way, she meets a bear who guides and protects her, teaching her important lessons about strength, resilience, respect for nature, and the interconnectedness of all living things.

The book is both a survival story and a meditation on the beauty of the natural world. It encourages readers to reflect on humanity's impact on the planet and the importance of living in harmony with nature. Its poetic language and thoughtful themes make it a powerful, reflective read for our community
BIG READ BOOK CLUB questions

Explore More Stories

The Day the Earth Rose Up
Written and Illustrated by Alfreda Beartrack-Algeo

Recommended for Ages 6-8

The Bear and The Moon
Written by Matthew Burgess & Illustrated by Catia Chien 

Recommended for Ages 3-5

Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids
by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Recommended for Grades 3-7 & Ages 10-12

Lore of the Wild: Folklore & Wisdom from Nature
Claire Cock-Starkey

Recommended for Grades 1-7 and ages 6-12
Star stories: Constellation Tales from Around the World
Illustrated by Andy Wilx; Written by Anita Ganeri

Recommended for Grades 2-7 & Ages 6-14

The Switch
by Roland Smith

Recommended for Grades 3-7 and ages 8-12

Northwind
​by Gary Paulsen

Recommended for Grades 3 - 5 and ages 10 - 14

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Art Activities for 0-5+

United Way of the Black Hills and CAT Scratch Studios have created a compilation of activities for youth in our community based on the Big Read companion title, The Bear and the Moon by Matthew Burgess. Come do one of the activities at the Dahl on June 14 and pick up a copy of this book! Let's read and create together!
see all the activities

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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.
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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


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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

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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 Area 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.
  • Home
  • 2025 Impact Report
  • Dahl Arts Center
    • Events >
      • Upcoming Events
      • Performing Arts
      • Emerging Performing Artists
      • Dahl Haus
      • Big Read
      • Event Space Rentals
    • Art Education >
      • Adult Programing >
        • Adult Classes
        • Open Art Studio
        • Open Pottery Studio
      • Youth Programming >
        • Youth Classes
        • Art Camps
        • Teen Art Studio
        • Free Art Activities
      • Scholarships
    • Exhibitions >
      • Current Exhibitions
      • Emerging Visual Artists
      • Digital Permanent Collection
      • Past Exhibitions
    • Rental Space
    • Membership
  • Arts Opportunities
    • Calls for Art >
      • Community Photo Show
      • Exhibit at the Dahl
      • South Dakota Opportunities
    • Art Careers - We're Hiring
    • Volunteer at the Dahl
    • Advocacy >
      • AEP6
      • Cultural Plan
    • Grants >
      • City Arts Grant
      • South Dakota Arts Council
    • Art Alley Permits
  • About
    • Staff & Board
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  • Donate