High School Art Competition Expands

For Immediate Release: January 20, 2026
High School Art Competition Expands

RAPID CITY, SD – The Rapid City Arts Council (RCAC) invites high school students from Western South Dakota to participate in the annual Best of the West art exhibition and competition. This is a juried exhibition that celebrates the creativity, talent, and diverse voices of the region’s young artists and provides the opportunity for students to showcase their artwork in a professional gallery setting. 

Formerly focused on Rapid City Area Schools, the RCAC is excited to expand this exhibition to a wider region. Students in 9-12th grade from Butte, Lawrence, Meade, Pennington, Custer, Fall River, and Oglala counties are encouraged to share their creative vision for a chance to win cash prizes that will be awarded during an awards ceremony on May 15 at 6pm. 

The submission process is simple. Students will fill out an online application and submit photographs to [email protected] with the subject line: “BOTW- 26 [Your Last Name]” by April 17. Jurors will select this year’s participants through a blind jurying process based on creativity, originality, and quality of the work submitted. Selected pieces of art can be dropped off at the Dahl Arts Center or select locations in Spearfish, Hot Springs, Pine Ridge, and Custer. 

The Best of the West Exhibition provides high school students with the opportunity to showcase their talents while fostering a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and respect. By participating, students contribute to a celebration of art that reflects creativity, inclusivity, and integrity. Thank you for joining us in this journey to highlight the artistic excellence in our community!
For more information and how to submit, please visit: thedahl.org/botw.

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For More Information:
Maggie Lepa-Wince
Rapid City Arts Council
605.719.7218
[email protected] 

The purpose of the Rapid City Arts Council (RCAC) is to champion the power of art to bring all kinds of people together, making art more accessible, more integral and more inspiring for the communities we serve.​ RCAC was established by community leaders in 1968 and officially partnered with the city in 1974 to manage the Dahl Arts Center and expand arts and cultural resources. RCAC creates and supports diverse programming in exhibitions, performances, and educational classes. Supported by individual donors and organizations such as the Black Hills Area Community Foundation, John T. Vucurevich Foundation, the South Dakota Arts Council through the South Dakota Department of Tourism and the National Endowment for the Arts, and others, RCAC is committed to enriching the community's artistic and cultural experiences. Located at 713 7th St in Downtown Rapid City, the center offers free admission and is open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. Discover more at rapidcityartscouncil.org.