Welcome to the Dahl!
Since first opening the doors in 1974, the Dahl, Rapid City Arts
Council and City of Rapid City have provided the community with a warm, friendly
home in which to explore the arts. Over the years, with help from our supporters
and outstanding partners we’ve grown into an organization recognized for
excellence in programming statewide that provides top-quality events and
instruction. But, along the way, we have preserved a distinct, hometown flavor
that makes access to the arts comfortable for everyone that wants to
participate.
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Every year, thousands of people from toddlers to seniors, explore the arts
through classes, lessons, performances, recitals, exhibits and much, much more.
We invite you to join us. Wander through one of the ever-changing art exhibits
by top artists of every medium. Or sit down to a season of solo and small
ensemble performances, where artists classical to contemporary reach you on a
more personal level. Feel free to observe or participate. With so many choices
in one location, you can choose what inspires you.
Dahl
Building Facts
The Dahl Arts Center building
is owned by the City of Rapid City and managed by the Rapid City Arts Council.
Operations funding is achieved through a unique public/private partnership in
which the City provides approximately 35%, Allied Arts Fund Drive 5% and Rapid
City Arts Council 60% of annual operations dollars, and
through the generous support of individuals, the State of SD, many major
foundations and grant sources.
Conveniently located in downtown Rapid City, within walking distance of two schools, the YMCA, downtown businesses and the Rapid City Public Library, the Dahl has provided arts classes, exhibitions, performance programs and community service since 1974. The 30-year old Dahl facility recently underwent a major renovation and now includes three art galleries, adult and children's art classrooms, a 200 ft. mural of American History, a 130 piece permanent collection of regional art and a 250-seat flexible event center.
What
happens at the Dahl?
You
name it! Literally, in a
community arts center,
the community
is the driving force behind what goes on in the building! Annually, over 60,000
people typically attended Dahl sponsored events.
The Dahl is available for use by groups and
individuals that are interested in participating in and experiencing various
forms of art and community building activities.
Community Service:
The Dahl sponsors diverse community outreach events such as the Black Hills Bluegrass
Festival, Readiatrics Children's
Book Drive and the Banff Mountain Culture Film Festival. Other resources provided by the
Rapid City Arts Council at the Dahl include grant support, office equipment use,
computer support, website and media help, ticket administration and consultation
for small performances. In addition, the Dahl rents space for private parties,
receptions and special events when rooms are available.
Visual Arts:
In a typical year, the Dahl hosts over 150 education events including art classes, school
tours and artist professional development workshops. Attendance at these events
typically totals over 3,000, with the age of
those in attendance ranging from 3 years to over 80. The Rapid City Arts Council provides
professional development opportunities for local artists through opportunities
to display in the galleries, with over a dozen exhibits displayed annually.
It regularly engages artists and adults for lecture and teaching positions,
holds workshops on business and professional development and adult art classes.
Performing Arts: Annually, the Dahl presents about 60 performing
arts concerts and events, ranging from solo folk musicians or classical music
groups to independent film screenings and theatre events, school-related
performances, arts-related fundraisers for social service agencies and provides
space for a variety of speeches, receptions, debates, forums and other
functions. The Rapid City Arts Council collaborates with many
artists, arts groups and community members to provide the wide
variety of arts offerings open to the public at the Dahl.
Volunteers: The community of artists and people who work in the arts share their ideas for Dahl programs and exhibits, often sitting on committees that research, plan and staff the events. Over 400 volunteers actively work at the Dahl on committees as docents, festivals and events or in fundraising giving over 7000 hours annually. For them, the Dahl is the central location for the exchange of information and ideas on art. Ranging in age from 7 to over 80 years of age, our volunteer force also develops a wide variety of practical and/or artistic skills as they are exposed to the broad range of activities in the Dahl. In particular, younger volunteers have the opportunity to do real work on designing and promoting programs, working with others, meeting the public, performing computer and office tasks, phone etiquette, photography, writing, theatre tech work, reception preparation and an incredible variety of other work.
Our
Philosophy
The Rapid City Arts Council at the
Dahl is dedicated to community service,
connecting educational opportunities, exhibitions, permanent collections of art,
and visual and performing arts programs to the immediate community and
surrounding area, promoting active dialogue and collaboration. The Rapid City
Arts Council promotes public awareness and support of the arts in myriad ways
through its roles as city-appointed administrator of the community arts center
(Dahl) and also as the agency designated through City ordinance to serve as arts
advisor to the City of Rapid City.
Come Join Us!
Be a
part of the arts
in Rapid City. Come together with
people that value and support arts and culture in our community and help support
the Dahl. As a member you get special discounts on classes and events,
invitations to receptions and the satisfaction that you are helping make
community arts activities affordable for people of all ages, income levels and
abilities in our community.
Get a membership today
online !
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