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SDHC Grants Support Late September Events

September 14, 2024

As nature shows her most beautiful colors and the coziness of early autumn settles in, non-profits throughout South Dakota aren’t slowing down. Late September offers several opportunities for people around the state to enjoy programs supported by South Dakota Humanities Council grants.

“The research, materials, and events funded by our grants address a wide variety of humanities topics, all with great relevance in South Dakota,” said SDHC Grants Coordinator Melinda Berdanier. “SDHC is happy to play a role in bringing these programs to the public.”

Non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply for SDHC grant funding to support projects led by humanities professionals and featuring humanities as a central focus. The next application deadline is October 15 for events taking place after December 1. Visit SDHC’s Grants webpage for more information.

September features these grant-funded activities to satisfy a variety of interests.

Speaking of Health, presented by the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine

  • Tuesday, Sept. 17, 12-1 pm
  • Wegner Health Sciences Library, 1400 W 22nd St, SIOUX FALLS
  • Scholar: Dr. Mona Hannah-Attisha
  • For more information, contact Peter Hoesing, peter.hoesing@dsu.edu

Following last year’s successful Speaking of Health series, this event kicks off a totally new health-related series, featuring Dr. Mona Hannah-Attisha discussing her book What the Eyes Don’t See. This New York Times notable book focuses on the Flint, Michigan water crisis and how Dr. Hannah-Attisha and her team helped to expose the truth about lead in the area’s tap water.

The Power of Possibility: The Impact of Public Art in South Dakota Communities, presented by the Dakota Wesleyan University Office of Institutional Enhancement

  • Wednesday, September 18, 7-9 pm (MT)
    • The Journey Museum, 222 New York St, RAPID CITY
    • Scholars: Lesta Turchen, Dale Lamphere, and Marty Two Bulls, Jr.

The film The Power of Possibility: The Impact of Public Art in South Dakota Communities will screen at the Journey Museum in Rapid City. Inspired by Power of Possibility, an outdoor sculpture installed on the DWU campus in Mitchell in 2022, the documentary features comments by artist Joan Benefiel, Dale Lamphere (South Dakota Artist Laureate), and Marty Two Bulls, Jr. (Oglala Lakota Artist Laureate), about how public art projects are initiated and completed. The one-hour film includes  interviews and a “tour” of public art in several South Dakota towns to explore the effects of public art in their communities. The documentary, along with A Study Guide on Public Art, will be available to schools, colleges, and local community organizations for use in their arts and humanities programming.

Photographic History of the Black Hills, presented by the SDSU Department of Natural Resource Management

  • Wednesday, Sept. 18, 7:30-9:30 pm
    • South Dakota State University Alumni Center, Woster Celebration Hall, 815 Medary Ave, BROOKINGS
    • Scholars: Paul Horsted and Donovin Sprague

Fifty years ago, the SDSU Agricultural Experiment Station released Yellow Ore, Yellow Hair, Yellow Pine by Donald Progulske and Richard Sowell, a publication of comparative photographs of Black Hills trail sites from 1874 and 1974. Images from these same locations were captured again in the 2023 book Exploring with Custer: The 1874 Black Hills Expedition: Revised 4th Edition by Paul Horsted and Ernest Grafe. In this program, photographer Horsted and scholar Donovin Sprague discuss the locations in the historical and contemporary photographs, the changes they’ve experiences, and the cultural significance of Black Hills holds for the Oceti Sakowin people.

Archival Accounts of Nuclear Fallout in South Dakota in the 1950s, presented by Oregon State University Office for Sponsored Research and Award Administration

  • Monday, Sept. 23, 7-9 pm
  • Agar Fire Hall, 120 Ash St, AGAR
  • Scholar: Emily Yates-Doerr
  • For more information, contact Emily Yates-Doerr, eyatesdoerr@oregonstate.edu

This project features Yates-Doerr’s archival research findings about a family anecdote regarding how residents of Sully County understood the effects of atomic weapon experiments in the 1950s, as well as their possible exposure to nuclear fallout. There will be a time for discussion and sharing other collective memories of Sully County events.

Brian Middleton’s Poiko, presented by SiouxperCon

  • Sunday, Sept. 29, 11 am-12 pm book giveaway/signing, 3-4 pm author talk
  • Sioux Falls Convention Center, 1201 West Ave, SIOUX FALLS
  • Scholar: Brian Middleton
  • For more information, contact: Shane Gerlach, director@siouxpercon.com

This event targets youth ages 10 and under who attend SiouxperCon for free on Family Day. Seeking to engage reluctant young readers, author and illustrator Brian Middleton, creator of the middle grade graphic novel, Poiko: Quests and Stuff, will engage attendees with a talk and Q&A. Attendees of all ages will be able to meet the author, and youth attendees will receive free copies of the book.

For a full list of upcoming SDHC-sponsored events, visit SDHC’s events calendar.

Learn more about humanities programming in South Dakota by signing up for SDHC e-Updates!