Group Tours and Field Trips
The South Dakota Art Museum offers many opportunities for adults and students to learn about art, history, culture and much more. We can tailor experiences to align with content standards from all major educational subjects and your group's interests.
We offer free field trips (and virtual field trips coming soon) and we continue to look for ways to make teaching and integrating art enjoyable. There are three different kinds of field trip opportunities:
- Museum tour (30 minutes). This tour is great for teachers who want their students to see multiple venues at South Dakota State University. A tour guide will briefly show students around the current exhibitions.
- Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) Museum Tour (60 minutes). This tour will take a more in-depth approach to looking at art. A trained docent will facilitate a Visual Thinking Strategies conversation, which aims to develop communication skills, aesthetic understanding and a deeper appreciation of art.
- VTS Museum Tour and Artmaking (90 minutes). This tour provides everything that has been previously mentioned, while also giving students the opportunity to make art in the lower level of the museum. We offer a variety of arts activities, from painting and drawing to printmaking and collage.
To schedule tours or learn more about our educational opportunities, ​​​​email Abigail Ramsbottom, Education Curator/Coordinator or call 605-688-5423.
Virtual Field Trips
Calling all educators! Are you ready to spark creativity in your classroom? Our Virtual Field Trip program brings the South Dakota Art Museum directly to your students, no matter where you are!
Here's what you can expect:
- Art Supplies Delivered: We'll send a package filled with art supplies right to your school's doorstep, so your students can get hands-on with their creativity.
- Interactive Art Activity: Our experienced museum educators will guide your students through an engaging art activity, exploring techniques and themes inspired by our collections.
- Virtual Artist Talk: Immerse your students in the world of art with a Cultivating Creativity virtual interview of a South Dakota artist in the Museum's collection.
- Free for Schools: Best of all, this program is completely free for schools! Simply register your classroom online at least two weeks in advance to secure your spot.
Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to bring the arts into your classroom in a whole new way!
Generous support for this project provided by Art Bridges.
Oscar Howe Outreach and Engagement Opportunities
In conjunction with the exhibition of "Dakota Modern: The Art of Oscar Howe" and "Continuum: Honoring Oscar Howe’s Legacy" the South Dakota Art Museum invites non-profit Tribal affiliated institutions/organizations within South Dakota to apply for reimbursement travel scholarships to visit the South Dakota Art Museum to view the exhibitions. Oscar Howe Community Celebration Grants of up to $2,500 are also available.
Non-profit Tribal affiliated institutions/organizations within South Dakota are invited to apply for a reimbursement travel scholarship to visit the South Dakota Art Museum to view "Dakota Modern: The Art of Oscar Howe and Continuum: Honoring Oscar Howe's Legacy". Funds are limited and applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. While it is not required to schedule a tour to receive a scholarship, please know that various tours are available to you when you visit. Organizations may qualify for up to $600.00 in reimbursement (amount awarded based on miles traveled).
Note: This opportunity is available during the run of "Dakota Modern," from June 10, 2023 to Sept. 17, 2023. For questions, contact Abigail Ramsbottom, Education Curator: 605-688-6981.
Oscar Howe Community Celebration Grants support opportunities for public engagement with, and community access to, the artistic legacy of Yanktonai Dakota artist Oscar Howe. Organizations can request up to $2,500.00 for funds to be utilized in a 1:1 match for their project. Organizational match can be accomplished through other grant funds, donations, staff time, volunteer time and in-kind donations.
Note: This opportunity is available during the run of "Dakota Modern," from June 10, 2023 to Sept. 17, 2023. For questions, contact Abigail Ramsbottom, Education Curator: 605-688-6981.
The Oscar Howe Traveling Exhibit aims to bring Oscar Howe’s life and artistic legacy to community spaces across the region. The exhibit features eight banners that explore the artistic development and biographical details of the Yanktonai Dakota artist who helped to expand the definition and understanding of Native arts. This opportunity is free for the hosting institutions, as the South Dakota Art Museum will cover costs to ship the exhibition to and from the host organization.
For questions, contact Abigail Ramsbottom, Education Curator: 605-688-6981.
South Dakota Arts Council Excursion Grants
The provides matching funds to South Dakota organizations to assist in transportation costs for taking K-12 students and persons with disabilities traveling to the South Dakota Art Museum for field trips.
Internships
The South Dakota Art Museum is pleased to offer paid opportunities for qualified graduate and undergraduate students. Based on a system of supervised learning, the internships enable students to understand how a museum operates and how to relate this experience to academic and professional goals.
South Dakota Art Museum Faculty Scholar
South Dakota Art Museum Scholar Program is designed to enhance scholarship and research opportunities for faculty and facilitate greater utilization of the collection and resources of the Museum for scholarship purposes.