Marty Two Bulls Jr. Named Interim Executive Director of the Rapid City Arts Council

For Immediate Release: April 22, 2025
Marty Two Bulls Jr. Named Interim Executive Director of the Rapid City Arts Council

RAPID CITY, SD -- The Rapid City Arts Council (RCAC) is delighted to announce that Marty Two Bulls Jr. has been appointed as the Interim Executive Director of the organization, effective immediately. Two Bulls steps into this leadership role following his service as a dedicated member of the Board of Directors, from which he has stepped down to assume his new responsibilities.

An accomplished artist and educator in Rapid City, Two Bulls brings a deep commitment to the arts, cultural equity, and community development. He is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and comes from a family of artists. He credits his father, Marty Two Bulls Sr., as his first art instructor and early influence. Growing up in his father’s studio, he developed foundational skills in sculpture, illustration, and graphic design—along with a deep understanding of what it means to live and thrive as a creative person. 

Two Bulls earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, NM, where he studied printmaking and ceramics. He remained in Santa Fe for several years, developing his own artistic practice and working in contemporary art galleries with a broad range of artists from around the world. 

In 2017, Two Bulls returned to South Dakota to accept a faculty position at Oglala Lakota College (OLC). He established a Graphic Arts program at OLC and remains a strong advocate for creative expression across Native and non-Native communities alike. Two Bulls holds a Masters in Fine Arts from Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York and is an artist laureate for the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

In addition to his ongoing educational and artistic endeavors, Two Bulls recently completed a powerful residency as the 2024 Artist in Residence at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). As part of this residency, he led a land art engagement based on the traditional Lakota practice of azilya—a ceremonial act of burning sacred plants such as sage to cleanse space and invite healing. Two Bulls facilitated the Azilya ceremony at the historic Ross Shaft, inviting Indigenous community participation and honoring both the land and the many histories tied to the site. His work bridges Indigenous knowledge, artistic practice, and scientific exploration.

“We are thrilled to welcome Marty Two Bulls Jr. as Interim Executive Director,” said Anjelica Sasse, President of the Board of Directors. “His vision, experience, and deep-rooted commitment to both the arts and this community make him an exceptional leader for the Rapid City Arts Council during this time of transition.”

As Interim Executive Director, Two Bulls will lead the organization’s ongoing efforts to support local artists, engage community members through inclusive programming, and steward the mission of the Rapid City Arts Council and the Dahl Arts Center.

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For More Information:
Maggie Lepa-Wince
Rapid City Arts Council
[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.