By rssfeeds-admin 
To me, the best part about the Sioux Falls arts scene today is how much I likely don’t know about it.
That wasn’t the case 20-plus years ago when I first moved to town, when a small handful of arts organizations, galleries and performance venues basically represented the entire landscape.
Today, I know I have untold stories waiting about under-the-radar places to see the arts on display in our community and purchase work from local artists. I have no doubt there are individuals working in the arts in the Sioux Falls area with powerful personal stories I haven’t discovered.
And, unfortunately, my gut tells me there probably are more stories like the one I’m about to share with you too.
On one level, this actually is a tremendous success story.
It came to me several years ago and resurfaced again this week courtesy of Madeleine Scott, who likely is one of the most talented ballet dancers to come from South Dakota and go on to dance professionally.
Scott was dancing with Sacramento Ballet in California when a family illness drew her home in 2018.
The following year, at age 24, she became the founder, artistic director and executive director of the state’s first professional ballet company: South Dakota Ballet.
“I did some market research and came to find out South Dakota was the last state in the country without a professional dance company,” she said. “Every other state, including Alaska, had had a professional dance company. I just wanted to try it because if I don’t do it, it’s probably not going to happen.”
Since then, South Dakota Ballet “has grown significantly,” she said. “We’ve worked with over 55 different professional dancers from around the world the past few years, so that’s really impressive and exciting.”
Eri Nishihara and Jack Miller of Richmond Ballet. Photo by Wendy Wetmore
Each year for its performance tours, South Dakota Ballet has been able to employ about 30 artists: professional dancers, musicians, costume designers, lighting designers and composers. These are people who have traveled to the state from across the world and performed everywhere from Aberdeen and Sioux Falls to Brookings and Rapid City.
Cato Berry of Colorado Ballet. Photo by Myles Tracy
The sad part is, they won’t be coming this year.
At the beginning of 2025, Scott lost multiple large, recurring donors who were critical to funding the program. She’d planned to collaborate with the University of Utah School of Dance on a professional version of “The Nutcracker” that would be performed in various South Dakota communities.
“It’s sad, and it really freaked me out, but I think that’s just where the economy is right now,” she said. “I reached out and didn’t even get responses from some people.”
It was a poignant reality check for me that we still have work to do supporting the arts in this state — in a month that brought a record number of new sculptures to Sioux Falls, new and growing art and makers markets and an update from our city’s new arts coordinator, Maren Engel.
In Engel’s first year, she has started to put a solid framework in place for supporting the arts through city government with clearer policy, a directory for those who want to hire local artists, long-term plan coming and a commitment to identifying “art deserts,” or neighborhoods that could benefit from more art.
Programs like the South Dakota Ballet hopefully can find a way to benefit from increased visibility and perhaps a way to better connect with interested donors.
Rebecca Ford (of Vermillion S.D.) and Nick Camerero. Photo by Wendy Wetmore
I hate to think of this community missing such a golden opportunity to grow this element of the arts when we have the ability to draw world-class talent here. And I wonder what other efforts might be waiting, unfunded, that could further advance the arts locally.
Fortunately, Scott seems to be an entrepreneur as much as she is an artist. This month, South Dakota Ballet will hold an annual summer intensive program, which is an immersive experience and unspoken requirement for anyone looking to become a professional dancer.
When Scott went to her first one, she left her home in Beresford at age 10 to train in New York City, receiving a scholarship because such programs “cost thousands per week to attend,” she said. “But there weren’t any programs growing up that would meet my needs.”
In Sioux Falls, “we made ours as affordable and accessible as possible,” she said. “I think we have students (this year) from 13 different dance studios across South Dakota.”
Photo by Madison Mahr
The program this summer is at capacity.
A pre-professional residency also is drawing new and emerging college-age artists to train or apprentice for six days before performing in Sioux Falls.
I’ll just venture a guess most of them never have been to Sioux Falls — lifting up our community in the eyes of new artists.
Training like this wasn’t an option locally for Scott growing up. She left home at age 13 to study in Philadelphia at the Rock School for Dance Education after earning a scholarship as the first South Dakotan to compete at Youth America Grand Prix, the world’s largest ballet competition. She then moved to New York City at age 15, Salt Lake City at age 17 and Sacramento at age 22, as well as spending time in various cities for shorter professional contracts.
Like many talented professionals, we’re lucky she has returned and decided to give back.
Photo by Wendy Wetmore
Scott made sure I knew that she didn’t want to sound like she was complaining about her situation, acknowledging her gratitude for those who have supported her and that there are plenty of worthy nonprofits and people with limited budgets to support them.
“I’m not mad,” she said. “It’s just the facts.”
She decided to take the time to look at revamping her organization’s structure, from future planning to a board, fundraising and maybe an executive director.
It’s possible she still might be able to do a smaller-scale performance later this year.
“If a community wants us and can donate theater space, we’re able to meet them with something special for their community.”
“Sioux Falls is my favorite midsized city,” she said. “It has everything a person could want, from fantastic food to the arts and outdoor activities. It’s an incredible place for people to thrive.”
She agrees that in the past few decades the city has evolved in positive ways, while “it’s still relatively affordable and accessible, which leaves room for community members to invest in their passions. This is something I really love about Sioux Falls.”
It is a clear advantage. That’s why I think we’re fostering a growing arts scene, from hobbyists and solo-preneurs to organizations of all sizes and even professionals like Scott.
But as a community, we need to step up and support — through attendance and financially as we’re able. If Sioux Falls could develop a reputation as a place where artists can make a solid living and find a thriving creative ecosystem, I think we’d be amazed at the positive ripple effect.
Focus on ‘art deserts,’ future planning among city arts priorities
The post Jodi’s Journal: Local arts scene reveals progress — and unrealized potential appeared first on SiouxFalls.Business.
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