USD and Arts South Dakota Present Event to Advance Healing Through the Arts
As part of the broader State Arts Conference, the institute served as a focused, practice-oriented pre-conference that connected innovation with implementation, ensuring the arts remain a vital component of health and well-being across South Dakota.
Designed for individuals who are currently working in, interested in working in, supporting or advocating for creative practice in education, health care, fine arts and clinical or therapeutic settings, the institute cultivated an interdisciplinary learning experience, exploring how creative practices can support areas like health and community resilience.
Overall, the event highlighted the role of the arts in fostering connection and engagement across settings, and how they help transcend language and traditional barriers to care.
“The arts play a critical role in health and the healing process, for both the individual and for the community,” said Bruce Kelley, Ph.D., dean of the USD College of Fine Arts. “I am grateful for the partnership between USD’s College of Fine Arts and Arts South Dakota. Our collaboration made this training accessible and affordable to students and professionals who wish to experience immersive, interdisciplinary learning focused on arts in healing.”
Participants interacted with content that reflects real health care, education and community settings. They gained practical tools, a clearer understanding of professional requirements and examples of how creativity can be adapted to support different populations in their unique environments.
Sessions for the event were led by a team of licensed, registered and board-certified art therapists who equipped participants with methods to integrate creative practices in ways that are ethical, effective and sustainable.
Intended to showcase the meaningful work already happening across the region and intentionally advance the field of arts in health, the institute brought together professionals across disciplines, strengthened teamwork, deepen shared knowledge and build capacity to deliver high-quality, creative care.
“The arts are highlighted as a method to create safe, engaging ways for individuals to connect with systems that can otherwise feel impersonal or inaccessible,” said Alison Boughn, Ph.D. ’19, ’13, instructor of record for the Arts Leadership Institute and associate professor at Wayne State College. “By integrating creative practices, we not only enhance individual experiences but also expand access, particularly for vulnerable and underserved populations, supporting more equitable and resilient communities.”
Ariadne Albright, an arts in health adjunct instructor in the USD Department of Art, echoed those sentiments.
“In terms of health, equity and resilience, art—writing, music, movement, performance and the visual arts can do a lot of heavy lifting. The simple act of making art creates a place for expression, connection and reflection. When individuals engage materials and symbolic language with guidance, it aligns with an innate drive to create. In turn, people feel seen, heard and part of something positive,” said Albright.
A Partnership Rooted in Connection and Care
With a shared vision for strengthening the well-being of communities across the state, the institute developed from a partnership between Arts South Dakota and USD—reflecting ongoing efforts to expand access to arts in education and strengthen statewide professional networks in the field.
“The partnership embodies a distinctly South Dakotan approach: grounded, relational and driven by the goal of making our state better for our neighbors,” said Boughn. “What makes it especially meaningful is how it has developed, starting with professional friendships, shared values and a collective investment in rural communities.”
Additionally, the partnership connects strong academic foundations with real community practice, rooted in connection, advocacy and education.
Kelley explained that, with USD being home to its Sanford School of Medicine and College of Fine Arts, the university is uniquely prepared to excel at the intersection of these areas.
In fact, USD’s College of Fine Arts offers both a certificate and a minor in arts and health, inviting students of any major to explore the multi-disciplinary field of arts in health and learn about the history of the field, professional best practices, ethics and creative strategies to develop and facilitate arts programming within a broad range of health care and public health environments.
The certificate and minor programs also include community service-learning hours, along with a credit-bearing internship, which is designed to give students essential professional experience working in arts in health professions under the supervision of an approved site supervisor and the arts in health instructor.
Hosting this event also reflected USD’s commitment to education that is active and community-centered.
“It shows how USD values learning that is engaged, responsive and connected to the communities it serves,” said Albright. “I am excited for the next generation of instructors, creatives and professionals, who will continue this work in care, connection and community.”
You May Also Like
USD School of Health Sciences Names 2026 Award Winners
The University of South Dakota’s School of Health Sciences recently recognized several faculty, staff and students for their outstanding achievements and contributions.
USD’s Sarah A. Hanson-Pareek to Present Photography Exhibition
The University of South Dakota’s Sarah A. Hanson-Pareek, ’98, program director of the digital imaging lab, digital library and photographs, presents “The Magic of John Banasiak” from May 7 to 27 in the John A. Day Gallery at the Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts.
Knudson School of Law Student-Hosted Panel Discusses ICE and the Law
Eighteen Knudson School of Law student organizations worked together to bring four panelists with various legal backgrounds to USD’s campus to discuss ICE and the parameters of immigration law.
