SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) Nan Baker was appointed full-time executive director of the Sioux Falls Arts Council at its April 1 meeting. Nan has a demonstrated commitment to community service. For several years, she chaired Arts Night, the largest fund-raiser for the Washington Pavilion; was board treasurer for SculptureWalk from inception to 2010; was a 1999 Sioux Falls Cultural Plan DART Committee member; and has spearheaded several arts advocacy events. Nan recently graduated from The Creative Community Leadership Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Harvard Kennedy School of Government Leadership in the 21st Century. As interim director of the 15-member Arts Council, Nan is the local plan coordinator for renewing the 1999 Sioux Falls Cultural Plan, which celebrates the community’s strong arts, culture, and heritage. Recommendations for the renewed plan were received from a steering committee headed by Rob Oliver, president of Augustana College, and task forces in areas of education, economic development/tourism, audience development/access/diversity, artist services/creative workers, funding, facilities/public art, and arts leadership/coordination.
According to Arts Council president Sandra Pay, the Sioux Falls Cultural Plan will be available for public consideration until April 13. Consideration for final plan approval by the City of Sioux Falls is scheduled for the City Council’s May 13, 2014, regular meeting. A copy of the Cultural Plan can be read on the Sioux Falls Arts Council website, www.artssiouxfalls.org, under the “News” tab. Individuals interested in reading the plan and formulating comments can forward these to info@artssiouxfalls.org.