Candidates respond to Arts South Dakota survey
s a service to our statewide membership, Arts South Dakota conducted a survey of South Dakota’s candidates, asking for their perspectives on the arts and government. To see the responses from candidates for the U.S. Representative, Governor and State Legislator offices, go to www.artssouthdakota.org. “The opinions of our candidates are important to our state’s creative environment,” said Jim Speirs, executive director of Arts South Dakota. “Grassroots support for the arts in South Dakota is strong and growing—and we wanted to hear for ourselves whether our candidates for elected office are hearing the voices of South Dakotans about the arts and their impact on all our lives.”
A
Kristi Noem:
“Growing up, the arts—music, in particular—was a big part of our family’s life. At one point, I think my dad even hoped we’d have a family band! Today, my sister-inlaw carries the creative torch as an artist herself. That appreciation for the arts is alive in much of South Dakota and has produced incredible talent, including Oscar Howe, Terry Redlin, Dale Lamphere, Kristi Noem Benjamin Victor and others. As a member of the U.S. House, I’ve looked to celebrate that creativity through the Congressional Art Competition. I was blown away by the young artists we have in our state, most of whom were supported by dedicated teachers. While athletes get to celebrate their accomplishments with regular game-time victories, there isn’t always that community of celebration for our young artists. As such, it was special to recognize these students by hanging their artwork in the U.S. Capitol. As governor, I will continue to foster that kind of supportive environment for South Dakota’s arts community, something only made possible because of organizations like this. Thank you for all you do to enrich South Dakota.”
Libertarian party candidate for governor Kurt Evans chose not to participate in this year’s arts survey. Republican candidate Kristi Noem did not complete the survey but provided the statement below. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Billie Sutton completed the survey and provided the answers included in the statement below and on the survey response page at www.artssouthdakota.org. Candidates are listed alphabetically.
Billie Sutton:
“I have seen the benefits of the arts in our schools, communities and families. Music, the visual arts, writing and poetry, the performing arts and design/architecture offer so much to all of us—but especially to our youth. They give young people confidence, creativity and a sense of place. Art education is also very important to developing well-rounded students who have Billie Sutton had the chance to explore their multiple forms of intelligence. As governor I will be an advocate for the arts in our schools. I support the collaborative efforts made by the legislature, the hospitality and tourism industry and previous governors to create a dedicated funding source for promotion of tourism and the arts. Any future changes in the current structure should be a result of working together with all parties, including the arts community. The arts are tremendously important to all South Dakotans. They play a vital role in education, economic development, and tourism. Even more importantly, they help us all to have a greater appreciation for our unique culture and identity as South Dakotans. I believe South Dakota should support and encourage the arts in communities all across the state, and I look forward to advocating for the arts as governor.”
Check out the survey responses and VOTE smART!
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As the state’s only arts advocacy group, Arts South Dakota is the public partner to the state arts agency. We do not endorse candidates for public office and all responses are published verbatim. Candidates are listed alphabetically. For complete results, go to www.artssouthdakota.org, where you will find: ● South Dakota U.S. House of Representatives survey responses ● South Dakota Gubernatorial survey responses ● 2018 Congressional Report Card ● South Dakota House survey responses ● South Dakota Senate survey responses ● All candidate survey questions For more information on arts advocacy and this year’s elections, visit www.ArtsActionFund.org or www.artssouthdakota.org.
