The Art for State Buildings collection includes 135 original artworks by South Dakota artists, displayed in publicly accessible areas of state government buildings in and near the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre, SD. View the full collection online.

Art for State Buildings is a program of the South Dakota Arts Council, a state government grantmaking agency organized under the South Dakota Department of Tourism (Travel South Dakota). The program originated through a challenge led by sculptor Dale C. Lamphere, then President of South Dakotans for the Arts. Five South Dakota artists donated artworks valued at more than $20,000 to the State, contingent on the Legislature appropriating an equal amount annually for ongoing art purchases. Those artists included Dale Lamphere, D. George Prisbe, Donald Montileaux, Ronald Backer, Mick B. Harrison, Rebecca Mulvaney, and Grete Bodøgaard. The Legislature accepted the challenge, and the program became a reality. In January 2008, the inaugural works were formally accepted on behalf of the State of South Dakota at a reception at the Pierre Cultural Heritage Center.

The program exists in accordance with South Dakota Codified Law 1-22-10, which directs that state buildings include works of art for public display. An annual legislative appropriation established in 2007 supports the purchase of original artworks, creating the State Art Collection.

• Artists currently age 18 or older, who reside in South Dakota (or whose primary residence during the majority of their art career has been in South Dakota) are eligible to submit proposals.
• Artists whose artwork has already been purchased through the AFSB program are eligible, though preference may be given to an artist new to the program.

• One original artwork may be proposed. This program invests in real South Dakota artists who create original artworks that reflect our people, our land, our history, and our spirit. At this time, artwork generated via artificial intelligence (AI) is ineligible.
• Artwork must be completely finished, including framing if applicable, ready for installation, and available for purchase. Proof of these requirements should be represented in the photo submitted. Artwork proposed for completion in the future (proposed frame selections, etc.) is ineligible. There are no negotiations. 
• If artwork submitted is currently being exhibited and the artist chooses to sell the artwork while scoring is still underway for this program, the artist cannot propose more artwork. Please take note of the timeline for this call for art: Artwork selected and purchased by the state must be in hand in Pierre by May 1, 2026.
• Artwork that is framed (excluding paintings with wrapped canvas) must be professionally framed/framed to include paper backing, finished edge, glazed, archivally matted, etc. for entry in this public art collection for safety and permanence of the artwork.
• Artwork (including photography) printed on canvas wrap or adhered to glass/Plexiglass/acrylic is ineligible due to the lack of durability required for this public art program.
• Artwork that is to be wall-mounted must be wired for hanging; no brackets are allowed.
• Artwork must be original and two-dimensional or three-dimensional in form. Reproductions are ineligible (e.g., a print reproduction of a painting is ineligible.)
• Artwork cannot depict images with reproduction rights not held by the artist.
• Artwork completed within the last five years may given preference by the selection committee.
• Artwork price should also include any costs in framing if applicable. There are no price negotiations.

Artists may propose ONE original artwork for purchase. Information required for submitting includes:

• One digital image of artwork proposed for purchase (JPG upload)
• Artwork title, caption, medium, date of completion, dimensions, and price (non-negotiable)
• Contact information
• Artist bio/resume
• Artist statement 

Artwork submitted is scored based on the following criteria:

• Artistic excellence is evaluated based on the quality of the artist’s proposed work and the relevance to the artist’s career;
• The applicant's professional arts experience;
• The artwork's relevance to South Dakota's environment, history, heritage, or culture;
• The physical attributes of the artwork in durability of materials; including the safety of the artwork and the safety of the viewer in a public setting.

Proposals to this collection are reviewed and scored individually by a five-member Art For State Buildings (AFSB) selection committee, authorized to recommend the $20,000 budget be divided in any proportion and for any number of artworks. The committee then meets to discuss scores and make purchase recommendations to the South Dakota Arts Council for approval.

By rule, each year the selection committee is comprised of the following:

• A state building representative
• A representative appointed by the State of South Dakota
• An SDAC-appointed visual artist or arts professional
• An SDAC board member with expertise in visual arts
• A community member appointed by the Mayor of Pierre, SD