2026 Art For State Buildings From South Dakota Arts Council

This program invests in South Dakota artists whose work reflects our people, our land, our history, and our spirit. 

Each selected piece becomes part of the state’s permanent collection, on display in the State Capitol Building in Pierre and nearby state-owned buildings. 

There are currently 135 pieces in the collection, enjoyed by visitors, state employees, and citizens of South Dakota. 

This program, established in 2008, is proudly supported by the South Dakota Arts Council and Travel South Dakota.

•  Artists currently age 18 or older, who reside in South Dakota (or whose primary residence during the majority of their art career has been in South Dakota) are eligible to submit proposals.

•  Artists whose artwork has already been purchased through the AFSB program are eligible, though preference may be given to an artist new to the program.

•  One original artwork may be proposed. This program invests in real South Dakota artists who create original artworks that reflect our people, our land, our history, and our spirit. At this time, artwork generated via artificial intelligence (AI) is ineligible.

•  Artwork must be completely finished, including framing if applicable, ready for installation, and available for purchase. Proof of these requirements should be represented in the photo submitted. Artwork proposed for completion in the future (proposed frame selections, etc.) is ineligible. There are no negotiations. 

•  If artwork submitted is currently being exhibited and the artist chooses to sell the artwork while scoring is still underway for this program, the artist cannot propose more artwork. Please take note of the timeline for this call for art: Artwork selected and purchased by the state must be in hand in Pierre by May 1, 2026.

•  Artwork that is framed (excluding paintings with wrapped canvas) must be professionally framed/framed to include paper backing, finished edge, glazed, archivally matted, etc. for entry in this public art collection for safety and permanence of the artwork.

•  Artwork (including photography) printed on canvas wrap or adhered to glass/Plexiglass/acrylic is ineligible due to the lack of durability required for this public art program.

•  Artwork that is to be wall-mounted must be wired for hanging; no brackets are allowed.

•  Artwork must be original and two-dimensional or three-dimensional in form. Reproductions are ineligible (e.g., a print reproduction of a painting is ineligible.)

•  Artwork cannot depict images with reproduction rights not held by the artist.

•  Artwork completed within the last five years may given preference by the selection committee.

•  Artwork price should also include any costs in framing if applicable. There are no price negotiations.

SCORING CRITERIA

•  Artistic excellence is evaluated based on the quality of the artist’s proposed work and the relevance to the artist’s career;

•  The artwork's relevance to South Dakota's environment, history, heritage, or culture;

•  The applicant's professional arts experience;

•  The physical attributes of the artwork in durability of materials; including the safety of the artwork and the safety of the viewer in a public setting.

REVIEW

Proposals to this collection are reviewed and scored individually by a five-member Art For State Buildings (AFSB) selection committee, authorized to recommend the $20,000 budget be divided in any proportion and for any number of artworks. The committee then meets to discuss scores and make purchase recommendations to the South Dakota Arts Council for approval.

By rule, the selection committee is comprised of the following:

•  State building representative

•  A representative appointed by the State of South Dakota

•  SDAC-appointed visual artist or arts professional 

•  SDAC board member with expertise in visual arts

•  Community member appointed by the Mayor of Pierre, SD

•  One digital image of artwork proposed for purchase (JPG upload)

•  Artwork title, caption, medium, date of completion, dimensions, and price (non-negotiable)

•  Contact information

•  Artist bio/resume 
•  Artist statement 

March 1, 11:59 pm: Deadline for online submission 

March 9: Selection committee begins review 

March 27: Selection committee reports 

April 10: Notification of acceptance/rejection 

May 1: Purchase documents signed; art pickups complete
May 31: Payments received by artists.

HOW TO SUBMIT TO THE CALL:

You may also access the call for art by clicking this direct link.
1.   Create a 'Free Submit Account" online at Artwork Archive and complete your profile, adding artwork and caption to your portfolio.

2.   While you are logged into Artwork Archive, you may click on Dashboard, and locate Call Submissions and click on Find New Opportunities. Search for South Dakota and you’ll see this call listing. 

3.   Review the criteria and eligibility, upload your one artwork image and caption from your profile portfolio, and the ONLY other requirements related to the artwork are title, medium, date of completion, dimensions, and price (no negotiations). Upload a bio and/or resume as explained below.