RCAC Announces 2025 Arts Investment Fund Awards

For Immediate Release: April 15, 2025
Rapid City Arts Council Announces 2025 Arts Investment Fund Awards

RAPID CITY, SD – In a continued effort to expand access to the arts and invest in cultural vitality, the Rapid City Arts Council (RCAC) today announced the 11 local organizations selected to receive awards from the $100,000 fund through the 2025 City Arts Contingency Fund.

These direct investments in the local arts ecosystem were made possible through the City of Rapid City’s annual budget process, in which the City Council authorized RCAC to administer the fund. The initiative aims to enrich the lives of residents and stimulate economic growth by supporting creative projects that elevate the community through public engagement, artistic innovation, and cultural equity.

“This fund is about more than just supporting events or performances—it’s about investing in the health, identity, and future of our community,” said Noah Geiger, Curator and Gallery Director of the Rapid City Arts Council. “Each of these organizations plays a unique role in shaping Rapid City’s cultural landscape.”

RCAC received 10 eligible proposals totaling the full $100,000 allocation. Applications were reviewed based on several criteria, including artistic merit, feasibility, innovation, and the potential for public benefit. Funded projects span a broad spectrum of disciplines—from music and theater to literature and inclusive arts education—demonstrating the diversity and creative strength of Rapid City’s nonprofit arts and culture sector.

The arts and culture industry continues to be a powerful economic driver for Rapid City. Nonprofit organizations in this sector support approximately 2,700 local jobs and generate more than $204 million in annual economic activity. Moreover, 88% of cultural attendees report that these organizations foster a strong sense of community pride and belonging.

2025 City Arts Contingency Fund Awardees:

• Backroom Productions, Inc – $7,500 to publish Don’t Miss This! and a book project celebrating local voices.
  
  
• Black Hills Center for Equality – $8,000 to support the annual Black Hills Pride Festival, promoting visibility, equity, and celebration.
  
  
• Black Hills Community Theatre – $15,000 to sustain core programming and live theatrical productions.
  
  
• Black Hills Dance Theatre, LTD – $7,000 for its annual Summer Dance Workshop and The Nutcracker production.
  
  
• Black Hills Symphony Orchestra – $5,000 toward their 2025–2026 concert season, providing live orchestral music to the public.
  
  
• Catalyst Theater Company – $7,500 to fund Pay-What-You-Can performances, increasing access for all community members.
  
  
• Chamber Music Festival of the Black Hills – $10,000 to support the ensemble’s 18th season of concerts and outreach.
  
  
• Dakota Choral Union – $5,000 to sustain core programming by this long-established city-based ensemble.
  
  
• Flutter Productions/Black Hills Works – $17,000 for a summer production and inclusive arts workshops in theater, dance, and music for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  
  
• Rushmore Music Festival – $8,000 for Project BeethoVAN, an innovative mobile music education and performance initiative.
  
  
• Rapid City Arts Council – $10,000 for fund administration and continued delivery of free arts experiences at the Dahl Arts Center, which welcomes over 15,000 visitors annually with visual art exhibitions, performances, arts education, and advocacy.

To learn more about the economic and social impact of Rapid City’s arts and culture sector, visit rapidcityartscouncil.org.

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For more information, contact:
Maggie Jean Wince
Rapid City Arts Council
605.394.4101 x5
[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.