Founded in 1900, the SD chapter of the federation assembled a collection of original artworks and objects aimed to inspire appreciation for the arts, Merkt elaborates. Before the museum’s conception, the collected art traveled across South Dakota, bringing fine art to communities with little to no access to the arts. “Their dedicated efforts in acquiring artwork, advocating for a dedicated building, and leading fundraising initiatives
ultimately led to the formal establishment of the South Dakota Art Museum through codified law in 1957,” revealed Merkt. On May 31, 1970, the South Dakota Art Museum opened. Today, Merkt says the GFWC remains staunch supporters of the arts and education. “At the South Dakota Art Museum, visitors aren’t just looking at something beautiful or historic—they’re engaging with a legacy, a story, a moment in time,” said Merkt.
“ The Founding Gifts invites us to remember not just to look at the objects, but to reflect on the people and vision that brought them here… Context humanizes art—it makes it personal, relevant, and alive,” she added. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT SDSTATE.EDU/ SOUTH-DAKOTA- ART-MUSEUM+
THE SUMMER ISSUE june 2025
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