This collection consists of administrative, exhibition, and support organization records for the South Dakota Art Museum from its founding through the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The materials document the museum’s internal operations, public programming, physical development, and community engagement, particularly under the leadership of founding director Joseph M. Stuart and subsequent administrators.
Director’s records include materials related to the planning, construction, and expansion of the museum building, including architectural plans, specifications, fundraising materials, and correspondence surrounding the original facility (dedicated in 1970) and later additions in the 1990s. Fundraising records primarily document the Visions for the Future campaign and include profiles, strategies, correspondence, and Board of Trustees involvement. Financial documents include operating budgets, accounting reports, museum shop inventories, and grant records.
Exhibition records constitute a major portion of the collection and comprehensively document the planning and execution of exhibitions from 1970 through the early 2000s. Included are exhibition catalogues, promotional materials, artist correspondence, insurance and shipping documents, photographs, slides, press clippings, and exhibition planning documents such as object labels and installation instructions. The exhibitions span a wide range of themes, styles, and artists, including both national and international figures, as well as a strong focus on South Dakota artists and Native American art. Highlights include recurring biennials, traveling exhibitions, and retrospectives of significant regional artists such as Harvey Dunn and Oscar Howe.
Board of Trustees records include meeting agendas and minutes, member biographies, correspondence, reports, committee files, by-laws, ethics policies, and orientation materials. These materials document the museum’s governance and strategic planning over several decades.
The Guild records reflect the activities of the South Dakota Art Museum Guild and include by-laws, handbooks, training materials for docents, correspondence, promotional documents, and event planning records. These materials emphasize the Guild's volunteer and educational role in museum outreach and support.
Other materials include accreditation documentation submitted to the American Association of Museums, annual reports, publications, event planning files, and materials related to special initiatives and commemorative events. The collection also includes significant documentation on the museum’s permanent collections, particularly works by Harvey Dunn, Oscar Howe, and the Marghab Linen Collection.
This collection offers documentation of the development, programming, and administration of the South Dakota Art Museum, the first museum in South Dakota to receive accreditation from the American Association of Museums. It illustrates the museum’s growth from a state-supported regional institution to a key center for visual arts in the Northern Plains. The records reveal the museum's emphasis on South Dakota’s artistic heritage, particularly through its stewardship of landmark collections and support of Native American and regional artists. The materials also highlight the museum’s role in public education and cultural outreach through exhibitions, publications, events, and docent programs.
