City details plans to expand reach of arts, culture through new installations, initiatives

A 10-year plan for how the city of Sioux Falls supports art and culture is expected in the coming months, while several other art-related initiatives are coming this year.

“As Sioux Falls continues to grow, the arts are becoming even more important in what makes our community vibrant and connected,” said Maren Engel, the city’s arts coordinator.

“We have a lot of exciting opportunities coming up.”

The city hired Keen Independent to help guide the plan for how the city supports art and culture to strengthen quality of life, economic vitality and equitable access for residents.

“This process has been intentionally broad, data-driven and community-centered,” Engel said. “What’s been especially meaningful is the range of voices involved.”

Photos courtesy of the city of Sioux Falls

Early feedback centered around expanding the arts beyond downtown and creating more accessible spaces for artists.

“We’re hearing a need for more affordable flexible spaces for artists to create, rehearse and perform,” Engel added.

The coming months also should bring a mural on the north side of the Orpheum Theater in downtown Sioux Falls, “transforming highly visible space into a bold visual landmark,” Engel said.

It will be a digitally printed vinyl wrap designed by South Dakota-born artist Jenae Porter. Last fall, Porter and theater professional Alexondrea Thong Vanh worked with youths involved in local theater programs to help inspire the final piece. Participants took part in movement and theater activities and visual art projects, and shared stories about their involvement at the Orpheum Theater.

The installation is planned for this fall.

“Overall, this is a very exciting time for arts and culture in Sioux Falls,” Engel said. “We’re seeing strong community interest, new opportunities for artists and continued investment in making art more visible and accessible throughout the city.”

Here’s a look at other arts-related initiatives for the year ahead:

ArtAbility exhibit and artist reception

ArtAbility is an art exhibit for artists with disabilities sponsored by the city’s Disability Awareness and Accessibility Review Board. The event provides an opportunity for artists to showcase their work as a means of self-expression. The board’s goal is to remove barriers for individuals with disabilities while promoting universal accessibility.

The ArtAbility exhibit and artist reception is in its 13th year and is set for April 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Underground by Rehfeld’s in the lower level of the Falls Center building at 431 N. Phillips Ave. The event will feature refreshments and art for sale, while highlighting artwork created by artists with disabilities. A sensory-friendly viewing will be offered earlier that day from noon to 3 p.m.

The exhibit and artist reception are free and open to the public. No registration is required. More information about the 2026 ArtAbility exhibit can be found at siouxfalls.gov/artability.

Sioux Falls Art Educators Exhibition

The Sioux Falls Art Educators Exhibition, now on display at the Washington Pavilion, highlights the creative practices of K-12 art educators from the Sioux Falls School District. Art educators cultivate critical thinking, creative problem-solving and meaningful self-expression in their students. By showcasing their own work in a museum setting, the exhibition underscores the connection between teaching and artistic practice. For students and the wider community, seeing educators as active artists affirms the value of arts education and emphasizes that creativity is a lifelong pursuit. The exhibition is a partnership of the city’s Arts Commission, Sioux Falls School District and Washington Pavilion.

Find more information about the Sioux Falls Art Educators Exhibition at washingtonpavilion.org/attraction/teachers-as-artists.

Carver Gallery

In 2019, Mayor Paul TenHaken unveiled the Carver Gallery in City Hall, named in honor of South Dakota art pioneer Charlotte Carver. The gallery will expand its mission this spring with the launch of an annual rotation of local artwork.

Artists who live or primarily work in the Sioux Falls area will be eligible to apply by submitting an application and images of their recent two‑dimensional work. An artist panel will jury the submissions and select participants. During the first six‑month exhibition period, each selected artist will have one featured piece on display.

As part of the program, the public will be invited to visit the Carver Gallery exhibition and vote in a people’s choice competition. The winning artist will receive a solo exhibition in the entire Carver Gallery for approximately six months. The city also will purchase one piece from the winning artist for installation in a public space, growing the municipal art collection. The selected work will be chosen by the artist panel and approved by the Visual Arts Committee.

Applications are open, and details can be found at siouxfalls.gov/carvergallery.

Downtown Storm Drain Art Project

The city and the Visual Arts Committee are accepting submissions for the annual Storm Drain Art Project. Since 2016, the program has allowed local artists to paint murals on stormwater inlets downtown, helping educate the public about water quality and the connection between storm runoff and the Big Sioux River. Artists are encouraged to create simple, clean and vibrant designs. Submissions are due by 5 p.m. May 1, with guidelines available at siouxfalls.gov/inlet-painting.

Art on the Move

The city’s public transit system, Sioux Area Metro, which is operated by Via, has launched a program inviting local artists to submit original artwork for display on city buses. Four artists will be selected to have their designs professionally wrapped on SAM buses, turning public transit vehicles into mobile art pieces. Selected artists will receive a $500 cash award and a year of free bus rides. The contest is open to residents 18 and older who live or work in the Sioux Falls area. The submission deadline is April 14, with full details available at siouxareametro.info/sam-art-bus.

SculptureWalk

The 2026 SculptureWalk will feature installations from 54 artists, including 11 from South Dakota and others from across the United States and Canada. The sculptures will be installed during the first week of May. Each year, the city selects one sculpture as Best in Show for purchase. With support from city funding through the Community Partners Program, SculptureWalk will expand its programming this summer.

To learn more about the art and programming related to SculptureWalk, visit sculpturewalksiouxfalls.com.

Full Court Color: Arena to Asphalt

During the 2026 Summit League Basketball Championships in March, the city’s Visual Arts Commission launched Full Court Color: Arena to Asphalt, a public art project that took place at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Throughout championship weekend, artist Les Cotton created an 8-by-8-foot mural in the concourse and invited youths and families to contribute basketball-themed drawings in an interactive design lab. The community-created designs, along with others submitted by youths across the city, will be developed into custom vinyl basketball backboard installations in city parks.