SDPB is one of ten organizations that have been awarded a grant as part of the Creative Midwest Media Cohort, a new year-long program facilitated through Arts Midwest’s Creativity News Desk. The ten organizations receive a portion of a $150,000 total grant. This initiative amplifies stories of arts, culture, and creativity in South Dakota and across the Midwest.
SDPB aims to expand arts coverage of their premier daily local news and culture program “In the Moment with Lori Walsh.” SDPB plans to do this with impactful social media storytelling and in-depth conversations with artists. In this process, SDPB seeks to diversify the Arts features to reflect the full range of artists and art in SD, with a focus on BIPOC and rural artists, and diverse art-forms.
“Arts interviews and stories are essential to the fabric of 'In the Moment.' Our team is thrilled to work with the cohort, expanding our coverage, deepening our creative conversations, and elevating South Dakota artists for a broader Midwestern audience.” - Lori Walsh, In the Moment Host & Senior Producer
The Creative Midwest Media Cohort supports organizations in producing media projects that cover stories of Midwestern creativity in the nine-state region of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, or the 42 Native Nations that share this geography. The inaugural participants, selected as part of an invite-only application process, will each receive a $15,000 grant and networking opportunities through the program.
Cohort organizations are creating diverse projects such as podcasts, multimedia series, social media videos, print publications, and a writers’ residency program. These initiatives will prominently feature and engage Native artists, creatives of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals in the rural Midwest.
“Arts Midwest is excited to support these outstanding media professionals and amplify the significant work they are doing to inform and inspire communities,” said Torrie Allen, President & CEO of Arts Midwest. “We envision this new initiative building a connected network of media-makers across the Midwest, while sharing stories of how creativity manifests in our lives.”
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About Arts Midwest
Arts Midwest supports, informs, and celebrates Midwestern creativity. We build community and opportunity across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, the Native Nations that share this geography, and beyond. As one of six nonprofit United States Regional Arts Organizations, Arts Midwest works to strengthen local arts and culture efforts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, state agencies, private funders, and many others. Learn more at artsmidwest.org.
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About South Dakota Public Broadcasting
The mission of South Dakota Public Broadcasting is to inspire, connect, and entertain South Dakotans with trusted journalism, quality education, and compelling storytelling. SDPB is a statewide, non-commercial, multi-platform network offering programming produced locally and from PBS, NPR, and other public broadcasting outlets. For information about SDPB and the Friends of SDPB, visit SDPB.org or call 800-456-0766.