College of Fine Arts

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University Art Galleries

A Commitment to the Arts

The University Art Galleries (UAG) continues a commitment to the arts dating back to the founding of The University of South Dakota.

The primary goal of the UAG is to support the educational mission of the University by promoting high-quality visual arts experiences to the University community that contribute to the quality of life and the exchange of ideas about art and culture among students, faculty, staff, and the larger public. The impact extends beyond the academic community to serve artists and audiences in South Dakota and the region.

We operate:

Since 1977, the UAG has presented over 735 on-campus contemporary and historical exhibitions featuring works by international, national, regional, and local artists, produced over 350 educational programs, and established a permanent collection of over 1,600 pieces of art. The UAG has also provided over 300 works of art annually for public spaces, sponsored over 50 touring art exhibitions, and served an audience of nearly 400,000 people. In addition, the UAG has played a significant role in connecting USD to regional and national visual arts projects such as Save Outdoor Sculpture and the Northern Plains Tribal Arts projects.

Our educational goals:

  1. To provide an annual schedule of visual arts activities (exhibitions and related educational programs) that serve the educational needs of the Department of Art, The University of South Dakota as a whole, the State of South Dakota, and the artists of the University, the State, and the region;
  2. To develop and maintain a permanent art collection and related materials to serve as a teaching and research resource for the University and the State;
  3. To promote and develop campus beautification and livability through the visual arts and especially art in public places; and
  4. To support scholarship, research, and publication/exhibition on South Dakota and regional art and artists.

Read about the history of the UAG.

If you have questions or would like to receive more information, please contact us:

Eddie Welch, Director
University Art Galleries
University of South Dakota
414 E. Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069
605-677-3177
Fax: 605-677-5988