Finding Indigenous Art in South Dakota

Experience the vibrant beauty and skilled craftsmanship of authentic Native art — from beadwork, jewelry, and regalia to carvings, pottery, and quiltwork. These local destinations throughout South Dakota range from museums, heritage centers, galleries, trading posts, and markets all across the state, where you can support Indigenous artisan work by either admiring them on display or purchasing a piece to take home with you.

Crazy Horse Memorial®

It’s hard to believe, but Crazy Horse Memorial® is more than just the world’s largest in-progress mountain carving. It’s also home to several museums. The Indian Museum of North America features art and artifacts from more than 300 Native nations, while The Mountain Carving Gallery features historical items associated with the creation of the Crazy Horse Memorial®.

Rapid City

There may be no city in South Dakota richer with Indigenous artistic culture than Rapid City. Racing Magpie places a high priority on art, offering artistic programming, a Native gallery, and studio & creative community spaces.

Hand-painted buffalo rawhide drums are the main focus of Dakota Drum Company, but they also have hide paintings, traditional bead and quiltwork, robes, sage, and more. Half a block wide and two stories tall, Prairie Edge Trading Co. & Galleries may be Rapid City’s best-known place to find Native art, crafts, music, supplies, herbs and more.

Consistently rated one of Rapid City’s top museums, The Journey Museum & Learning Center offers visitors a chance to experience history and peruse a gift shop full of authentic Indigenous arts and crafts.

You can hit all of these in a single day in Rapid City, making it a rewarding and soulful exploration of Native life and art.

Interior

On the edge of Badlands National Park is the small town of Interior, home to the Native West Trading Company. Staff strives to highlight and market the work of local artists while educating visitors about the Great Plains Native Cultures.

At the Oglala Lakota Living History Village, discover an entry point to the past and present culture and knowledge of Lakota Country. Besides daily guided tours of the beautiful landscape, Indigenous artist vendors are often there to showcase and sell their unique, handcrafted items.

Pine Ridge & Kyle

Located on the Pine Ridge Reservation in southwest South Dakota, The Heritage Center at Mahpiya Luta (formerly Red Cloud Indian School) requires no admission to experience its collection of historic and contemporary Native art. Time your visit right and you can experience the Annual Red Cloud Indian Art Show every year from June through August.

Just outside of Pine Ridge in Kyle, SD is Oglala Lakota Artspace (OLA), an arts facility that is a Native-run arts co-op. It includes artist studios, a recording studio, classroom space, outdoor market space, a community gathering space, and a performance space.

Porcupine

Only 25 miles from the town of Pine Ridge, the Singing Horse Trading Post & Bed and Breakfast offers a unique combination of art and accommodation. In a single visit, you can shop for handmade Lakota arts & crafts, attend a workshop and learn how to make your own drum, dreamcatcher, or beaded item, see the breathtaking landscape from horseback, and spend a relaxing night in the on-site accommodations that range from cozy cabins to your own mobile home. Plus, the meals are made with a focus on local and organic ingredients.

Lead

Art gallery. Bookstore. Coffee shop. Located in historical Lead, Miners' Tin Cup is a place to study, purchase, and even create art. Creativity is the name of the game at Miners', a place where it’s hard not to find something of interest and inspiration.

Fort Pierre

The Dakota Emporium Trading Post not only features authentic Native art, but it also has plenty of supplies for creatives to make their own artistic magic. From beads to herbs and more, if you need it, it’s probably here.

Chamberlain

The beautiful Dignity: Of Earth & Sky sculpture looks out over the Missouri River near Chamberlain, the home of several unique homes for Indigenous art. For more than 30 years, the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center has worked tirelessly to highlight the beauty and history of the Northern Plains Indian People. Absorb the power of rotating exhibits before taking in the intricate beadwork, star quilts, and more in the on-site gift shop. There’s even a Medicine Wheel Garden where visitors can enjoy quiet meditation, something that’s more important than ever these days.

Just two minutes away is the Dakota Plains Gallery & Gifts, where artists can show, market, and discuss their work. Every purchase is a donation to academic scholarships & grants designed to preserve Dakota culture.

Sioux Falls

On the eastern side of the state, Post Pilgrim Gallery in Sioux Falls features works by artists focused on combining traditional tribal themes with exciting new mediums and interpretations. Located in the lower level of Last Stop CD Shop, this gallery’s extensive exhibitions will immerse you in a world unlike anything you’ve experienced.

Harrisburg

Peruse Indigenous art and supplies at Native Art in Harrisburg, a town just 10 miles south of Sioux Falls in eastern South Dakota.

Online

Browse authentic Indigenous art at Seven Council Fires Native Art, a nonprofit dedicated to the empowerment and promotion of Native artists. Up to 1/3 of reservation residents depend on the sale of their artwork to survive, so each item literally changes a life and rewards the talents of folks across the state.

Events Across South Dakota

Art shows and more happen every year in South Dakota, offering a comprehensive artistic experience for visitors. Find more information about Native art events.

Powwows/Wacipis

A powwow/wacipi (the Dakota, Lakota and Nakota word for "dance") isn't just a beautiful and powerful cultural celebration. It's also a place to peruse and purchase authentic Indigenous art and other items. Discover a number of annual powwows, ranging from the smaller and more intimate to large, renowned powwows like the Black Hills Powwow.

Keep scrolling for a comprehensive list of where you can find the best in Indigenous art across South Dakota!