The Rapid City Arts Council Celebrates National Arts in Education Week

For Immediate Release: September 10, 2024
The Rapid City Arts Council Celebrates National Arts in Education Week Highlighting the Importance of Artistic Learning for Youth
Announces $150,000 Grant Supporting Arts Opportunities for Rapid City Youth

RAPID CITY, SD – The Rapid City Arts Council (RCAC) proudly marks National Arts in Education Week from September 9-13, 2024, by highlighting the diverse arts education programs available to youth in Rapid City. This celebration coincides with RCAC’s announcement of a $150,000 grant award. This funding supports a range of initiatives including afterschool classes, in-school workshops, and a juvenile diversion program, all aimed at nurturing creativity, critical thinking, confidence and a lifelong appreciation for the arts among Rapid City youth.

Designated by Congress in 2010, Arts in Education Week highlights the value and importance of arts in education and calls on elected officials and decision-makers nationwide to support equitable arts access for students of all backgrounds. RCAC supports the initiative through year-round activities to ensure all Rapid City students can learn and grow through the arts.

“It's not just about making art,” stated RCAC Education Director Melissa Nelson, “It's about using art to help kids think creatively, solve problems, and feel good about themselves. At RCAC, we believe that the arts are important for everyone, and by including them in education, it will help students learn and develop essential skills that will last a lifetime.”

The John T. Vucurevich Foundation has awarded the organization a $150,000 grant to support RCAC’s arts education initiatives for the next two years. “We are grateful to the foundation for their sustained support of the arts education,” stated RCAC Executive Director Jacqui Dietrich. “This grant will expand our youth arts education programs, ensuring that more young people in our community have access to the transformative power of the arts. With this generous funding, we can continue to foster the artistic potential and creativity of the next generation. With this funding, we plan to extend our programs to reach students in more schools and neighborhoods. This is a significant investment in a brighter, more vibrant future for our youth.”

The Benefits of Arts Education

92 percent of adult Americans believe it is important for students to receive an education in the arts as part of standard curriculum. Research has consistently shown that arts education has a profound impact on children's development. arts education can improve academic performance, boost self-esteem, enhance social skills, and foster creativity and critical thinking.

• Academic Achievement: Engaging in the arts significantly boosts students' success in school. According to a report by Americans for the Arts, students involved in arts programs are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement and tend to score 100 points higher on standardized tests. For low-income students, those with strong involvement in the arts are five times less likely to drop out of school and are twice as likely to graduate from college compared to their peers who lack access to arts education.
• Self-Esteem and Social Skills: Arts education enhances students’ self-esteem and social skills. A three-year study of elementary school students who participated more in the arts showed a 14% improvement in their classroom engagement, self-confidence, and interactions with others.
• Creativity and Critical Thinking: Research shows that participating in artistic activities enhances creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. For example, a one-hour art museum tour led to an 18% improvement in critical thinking among students from high-poverty classrooms.
• Improved Behavior: Studies show that arts education can reduce disciplinary issues and improve the overall school environment. Research suggests that participation in extracurricular arts activities at ages 10-11 is linked to reduced conduct problems, hyperactivity, and inattention. Additionally, afterschool arts programs have been proven to lower juvenile crime by 5% in high-poverty cities.

Explore the Dahl Arts Center’s Programs:

• Afterschool Art Classes: Designed for students in grades K-5, these classes provide a fun and engaging introduction to the arts. Each week, students earn badges in various mediums like watercolor, graphite, and wire sculpture to build their artistic skills .
• Homeschool Art Class: Sessions for students in grades 1-5 offer a flexible and individualized learning experience based on the National Core Art Standards.
• Teen Art Studio: A dedicated afterschool studio, where middle and high school students can experiment with different art forms and techniques.
• Saturday Art Adventure: Instructors lead workshops every Saturday afternoon, covering a wide range of artistic disciplines for the whole family to enjoy. Located within the Dahl's galleries, the Art Start Studio offers hands-on art experiences for visitors of all ages.
• Teaching Artists Program (TAP): This partnership with Rapid City Area Schools brings art instruction into fourth-grade classrooms, with an emphasis on lower-income neighborhoods.
• Third Grade Tours: Students participate in guided tours of the galleries and hands-on art classes at the Dahl Arts Center. This unique art museum experience is a first for many students and enables them to explore the world of art and create their own masterpieces.

What the Community Says About Arts Education at the Dahl Arts Center:

• "My son LOVED this class and especially the teacher! We will definitely continue going as he learned a lot and loved creating multiple pieces of artwork." Jenna P., Afterschool Art Class
• "My kids have found a new love of art and are demonstrating so much more creativity after participating in these camps! They are obsessed with the Dahl arts camps and have requested this for the rest of their summer programming. The variety of mediums and art techniques they have experienced has kept them excited and engaged." Emily E., Summer Camps
• "The teacher was very knowledgeable and kind, and the variety of things in the class was great! My daughter loved it for the first time and said she had so much fun!" Tamera A., Saturday Art Adventure
• "Being a teacher is all about encouraging, inspiring, and smiling. I focus on making sure my students feel heard, valid, and worthy. This in turn allows students to realize that they are capable of anything.” Julianna D., RCAC Youth Instructor

Arts education is an investment in the future of the community. Community members can get involved as teaching artists, volunteers, or by donating to “Arts Education” at the Rapid City Arts Council or through the Black Hills Area Community Foundation’s endowed agency fund to support the Rapid City Arts Council.

Learn more about arts education opportunities by visiting rapidcityartscouncil.org or emailing [email protected]

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For More Information:
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.