“It is important to recognize how deeply Vermillion has influenced the arts throughout this state and nation, from Arnie and Andre Larson’s founding of the National Music Museum to Doc Lee’s founding of the Black Hills Playhouse, now rebranded as Theatre 605,” said Bruce Kelley, Ph.D., dean of the College of Fine Arts. “And how do we even begin to define the impact and influence of Oscar Howe? His works are now displayed proudly in the greatest art museums of this nation.”

Since 1931, the College of Fine Arts has encouraged students to pursue their passions in art, music or theater while preparing them for rewarding and successful careers. USD has made Vermillion a destination for artists to study, perform and thrive.

At the heart of Vermillion’s art scene are the signature programs and spaces that define the College of Fine Arts. From world-class collections to immersive opportunities, these areas demonstrate how USD and the Vermillion community nurture talent, enrich imagination and bring creativity to life.

“Our students are taught to be critically creative. They learn to work collaboratively in a competitive environment, and with a variety of people and technologies. They are expected to demonstrate the types of behavior that are so valuable to employers—the ability to show up on time (which means five minutes early), learn proactively and take responsibility for their work,” said Kelley. “They develop the skills to be both outstanding team members and innovative leaders. From the smallest of our South Dakota communities to the greatest stages in the world, our graduates make a difference through their creative talents.”

Below are a few of the many artistic highlights in the USD and Vermillion communities.

National Music Museum

A wide-angle view shows the exterior of the National Music Museum, which is a grand, classical-style stone museum building with a modern glass entrance under a bright blue sky.

Nestled on USD’s Vermillion campus, the National Music Museum is a world-renowned center for the collection, study, preservation and exhibition of musical instruments, housing over 15,000 instruments and representing cultures and historic periods from across the globe.

Known internationally as a center for musical instrument research, the National Music Museum is also home to the nation’s only graduate degree program in the study of musical instruments, giving students and scholars an unmatched opportunity to blend academic inquiry with artistic discovery.

Art Galleries

A group of people gather and talk in a brightly lit art gallery featuring abstract paintings and sculptures on pedestals.

When creativity needs even more inspiration, the USD University Art Galleries offer a dynamic space to explore, create and connect. The galleries provide emerging artists with opportunities to experiment, present their work and engage with the broader arts community.

Showcasing both student and professional exhibitions across various mediums, the galleries serve as a vibrant hub for creativity. With rotating exhibitions and special programs that encourage dialogue about contemporary and historical art, the University Art Galleries have become a place where learning, inspiration and collaboration are ignited.

Oscar Howe Summer Art Institute and Oscar Howe Gallery

Two artists work together at a studio table covered in blue and red paint during a printmaking session.

Oscar Howe, Ph.D., founded the Summer Art Institute, which was later renamed in his honor. The Oscar Howe Summer Art Institute provides instruction to avid students who desire to learn more about Native American art. The Oscar Howe Gallery celebrates Native American artistry and culture by showcasing the largest single collection of works by Howe. Both the institute and the gallery equip students to explore cultural heritage, develop skills, learn by observation and prepare for professional careers in the arts.

Vermillion Murals

Amber Hansen ’07 and Reyna Hernandez ’16 have collaborated on and facilitated numerous mural projects in rural communities in the Northern Plains. Their collective, Mural On The Wall, is based in Vermillion, South Dakota. Its core mission is to work with community members to create murals that capture the collective imagination of the place in which the mural will be located while encouraging community participation, collaboration and mentorship.

The OTW has five murals in Vermillion, which have become quintessential symbols of the arts scene in the community. OTW also has a close relationship with USD, welcoming students as assistants and apprentice artists as part of the mural process.

Theatre 605

A performer in a blue costume reaches toward colorful stage lights while surrounded by flowing fabric that mimics ocean waves.

A division of the USD College of Fine Arts, Theatre 605 is telling stories and changing lives as the only professional regional theatre in South Dakota with offices in Rapid City, Sioux Falls and Custer State Park. Four programs—tours, camps, The Black Hills Playhouse and the Expanding Stage—are designed to provide access to theatre for people of all ages and abilities and to offer building blocks for learning in the performing arts.

Theatre 605 programs bring the joy of theatre to over 24,000 people across the state annually, and its long-standing partnership with USD provides USD students with unique opportunities to make professional connections and learn their craft in South Dakota.

Whether performing live or immersed in hours of rehearsal during one of its 300 plus events a year, students are pushing the boundaries of their craft and reimagining what art can be. At the College of Fine Arts, imagination leaps off the page, fills every stage and gallery and lingers long after the final curtain falls.

“This artistic outpouring happens because of the hard work and innovative excellence of our faculty, students and staff. This is an amazingly creative environment. From the flash and heat of iron pours to the soaring sounds of Mozart, this college has it all,” said Kelley. “The success of our students clearly indicates that the University of South Dakota is one of the best—and most affordable—places in this nation to receive a fine arts education.”

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