Sioux Falls, S.D. — We’re excited to announce Kara Dirkson will be our new Executive Director effective January 2, 2017. She currently serves as the Director of the Visual Arts Center at the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science in Sioux Falls.
“We’re so pleased that Kara is bringing her experience in the arts community and her background in arts administration, education and management to the Sioux Falls Arts Council,” said Sandra Pay, President of the Arts Council Board of Directors. “Her unique set of skills will be a great advantage to the organization in its role to bring the city’s long term cultural plan, Sioux Falls Imagined, to fruition.”
Prior to serving at the Visual Arts Center, Dirkson created and managed Artisia Fine Art Services. At the time it was the only fine arts services practice in the area, specializing in appraisals and consulting to private collectors, businesses and institutions.
“I am very excited to open a new chapter for the Sioux Falls Arts Council and realize its tremendous potential to partner with arts organizations and raise the awareness and status of the arts in our community,” Dirkson said. “Having a viable organization actively nurturing relationships with the city, business community and residents is necessary to increase the quality of life in Sioux Falls and continue making it thrive and prosper. Thanks to the SFAC’s past work, we have an excellent cultural plan in place. I am eager to lead its implementation.”
Dirkson holds a BA in Social Studies Education and History from Augustana University, an MS in History with an Art History emphasis from Minnesota State University, Mankato and has done post graduate study at Northwestern University in Chicago in Appraisal Studies Certification and Accreditation.
