Rapid City is a thriving arts and culture scene that encompasses the values and history of our region.
Arts Resources
Rapid City Arts Council – provides artistic and cultural development for the community, and fulfills its mission through visual arts, performing arts and arts education programs.
Allied Arts Fund – provides operation and promotion support for 16 arts organizations, as well as funding for other nonprofit, grassroots community art projects
Galleries, Museums & Outdoor Exhibits
Art Alley is a famous outdoor gallery that showcases graffiti art in a beautiful yet urban way. Permits are available through the Rapid City Arts Council.
City of Presidents is a collection of life-sized and life-like bronze statues of past U.S. presidents arranged along Rapid City’s downtown sidewalks. Maps and information can be found at the Chamber offices and at any visitor information location.
First Nations Sculpture Garden, at 515 West Blvd., is an educational and contemplative area honoring Native American scholars of the 20th century. Featured are the bronze busts of:
Charles Eastman (1858-1930)
Santee Sioux (Medicine)
Black Elk (1863-1950)
Oglala Sioux (Religion & Philosophy)
Oscar Howe (1915-1983)
Ihanktowan Sioux (Art)
Vine Deloria Jr. (1933-2005)
Hunkpapa Sioux (Law & Policy)
The 27-acre Memorial Park was acquired after the 1972 flood and has become a memorial to the 238 people who lost their lives. The park links the downtown area, Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, Rapid City Central High School and The Journey Museum & Learning Center. Amenities include Memorial Lake, Flood Memorial Fountain, picnic areas, formal rose garden, Legacy Statue, bike path, Berlin Wall exhibit, Veterans Memorial, band shell, Memorial Park Promenade and fishing.
Prairie Edge Trading Company and Galleries is the most extensive collection of Plains Indian art, crafts and jewelry in the area. An arts and crafts gallery, fine art gallery, bookstore and unique crafts supply center are all housed in a historically restored building.
Suzie Cappa Art Center, a division of Black Hills Works, provides services and support to over 630 adults with disabilities. The art center is a nonprofit studio where artists with all abilities create, exhibit and sell their work, and participate in music, theater and dance.
The Journey Museum & Learning Center brings together five major prehistoric and historic collections to tell the complete story of the Western Great Plains, from the perspective of the Lakota people and their unique Native American history, and the pioneers who shaped its past, to the scientists who now study it. Interactive learning experiences such as the Wells Fargo Theater, Paleontology Tent and the STEAM Lab give you the chance to learn and play every day.
The Museum of Geology exhibits focus on Paleontology, the study of ancient life, and Mineralogy, the study of minerals, including gems, crystals and the rocks they form.
South Dakota Air & Space Museum, just outside the main gate at Ellsworth Air Force Base, showcases the American journey, celebrates military personnel who have sacrificed so much for the country and tells the stories of not only past aviation, but also takes a look at present aircraft technology.
Dahl Arts Center has served as a premier western South Dakota arts center for contemporary visual arts, arts education and performing arts since it opened in October 1974.
Music, Dance & Theater
- Black Hills Chamber Music Society Concerts are held at The First Congregational Church, 1200 Clark St.
- Black Hills Community Theatre
- Black Hills Playhouse
- Black Hills Dance Theatre
- Black Hills Pow Wow | Oct. 4-6, 2019
- The premier American Indian cultural event in the United States, attracting hundreds of dancers, singers, and artisans.
- Black Hills Symphony Orchestra
- Rapid City Concert Association presents an annual concert series featuring renowned, nationally-known artists.
- Main Street Square
- The Rushmore Plaza Civic Center is the region’s entertainment center. It hosts concerts, sporting events, conventions, meetings, theater performances and many other events year-round.
- Performing Arts Center of Rapid City