Access to the Arts

Mary Cogswell, chair of the new Arts Advocacy Cohort, believes a focus on arts education is vital for all South Dakotans.

Arts South Dakota is collaborating with leadership from South Dakota’s arts educator associations to establish a new advocacy cohort. This cohort will ensure that arts education remains a priority for South Dakota students.

Arts South Dakota Executive Director Jim Speirs is excited about the possibilities with this advocacy group, calling it, “A collective, unified voice supporting and advocating for arts education in South Dakota and vital to protecting arts education access for all South Dakotans.”

“South Dakota arts education organizations are excited to partner with Arts South Dakota to ensure every South Dakota child has access to a high-quality fine arts education,” said Mary Cogswell, chair of the Arts Advocacy Cohort. “We are very grateful to Arts South Dakota for initiating the discussion.”

Cogswell joins seven other South Dakota arts educators for the cohort: Laura Schenk, Beth Neitzert, Mandy DeWitt, Desy Schoenewies, Kristin Dunlap, Ben Van Moer and Michelle McIntyre.