Sioux Falls Arts Council Executive Director Tim Hoheisel is resigning to become the Executive Director of the Stearns History Museum and Research Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The Sioux Falls Arts Council is pleased to announce that Nan Baker, Board Member and former Executive Director, will serve as Interim Executive Director of the SFAC. SFAC Board President Molly McCarthy stated, “We know what an amazing opportunity this is for Tim and we sincerely wish him the best as he returns to his hometown.”
Baker will be overseeing an exciting time for the Sioux Falls Arts Council. It is poised to begin work on the Meldrum Park Mural with the City of Sioux Falls, Whittier Residence Association, Whittier Middle School, Visual Art Commission and internationally known muralists Dave Lowenstein and Ashley Laird in July. Lela Himmerich, Social Studies teacher at Whittier Middle School, will be the Meldrum Park Mural Project Coordinator. Himmerich guided the Whittier students in 2011 who proposed a mural at Meldrum Park. “It is exciting to see a project of this magnitude in our community. Everyone involved is coming together to make Meldrum Park magnificent,” said Himmerich.
The mural is not the only focus for the Sioux Falls Arts Council. Baker is a recent recipient of the Bush Fellowship, which will support her work to update the Sioux Falls Art and Cultural Plan, furthering creative community based arts in Sioux Falls. “I would like to strengthen Sioux Falls as an innovative, creative community people want to be a part of. An updated Cultural Plan will create a platform for art and culture organizations, artists, and stakeholders to come together, making sure art and culture are a notable offering within the landscape of our community,” Baker said.
The mission of the Sioux Falls Arts Council is “To enrich Sioux Falls culture, economy, and opportunity by building a stronger and more vibrant arts community.” The Arts Council recognizes that creativity and expression are a vital part of life. It remains an active and important entity that not only impacts culture, but also stimulates the economy and provides opportunity for the people of Sioux Falls.
The Sioux Falls Arts Council is located in the Crane Centre at 8th and Railroad, 326 E. 8th Street, Suite 106A. For more information, please visit the Arts Council website at www.ArtsSiouxFalls.org, call 605.271.6696, or email info@ArtsSiouxFalls.org.