Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
South Dakota Memorial Art Center
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
In 1947, the South Dakota General Federation of Women's Clubs voted to raise funds for an art center to provide the people of South Dakota with a dedicated space to view works of art. In 1950, the Federation selected the campus of South Dakota State College in Brookings as the location for the facility. Construction began in 1969, and the Memorial Art Center was dedicated in 1970. In 1976, it became the first museum in South Dakota to receive accreditation from the American Association of Museums. Reflecting its expanded programming and statewide role, the South Dakota Board of Regents renamed the institution the South Dakota Art Museum in 1987.
The museum's mission is to collect and preserve works of art that represent South Dakota’s diverse artistic heritage. The tradition of building the museum’s collection began with a donation from the Women’s Club at the time of the building’s completion. Additional acquisitions were made through support from the South Dakota State University Alumni Association and the South Dakota Arts Council. The museum’s permanent collection has since grown through both purchases and private donations, and it serves as a key resource for exhibitions, educational outreach, and scholarly research.
The South Dakota Art Museum features galleries dedicated to works by Harvey Dunn, Oscar Howe, Native American tribal art, and Marghab Linens. Additional galleries host rotating exhibitions showcasing a range of themes, media, and artistic styles. The museum also offers public programming including lectures, exhibition briefings, receptions, children’s activities, films, and other events.