2026 Downtown Artwork Returns to Main Street Windows

The Aberdeen Area Community Foundation (AACF), in partnership with the Aberdeen Area Arts Council and the Knight Aberdeen Fund of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, is installing artworks on ten business windows in downtown Aberdeen in mid-May. The artworks were submitted in response to a Call for Art with a theme of “People & Places.” A judging panel selected the artworks to be displayed. It is the sixth year for the Downtown Art Project.

Aberdeen Area Arts Council Executive Director Grace Chipman has overseen the solicitation of art proposals and judging. The Call for Art invited original art in various media, photographs of which will be installed as window clings. The AACF received a grant from the Knight Aberdeen Fund for the project. The purpose of the project is to beautify downtown with local art.

The project will award four cash prizes. Project judges included Maray Larson, Rachel Rabenberg, and Justine Kober. They chose first, second, and third prizes, which will be announced in June.

In addition, a People’s Choice award will be presented for the artwork that receives the most votes in a poll that will be conducted through the AACF website: www.aberdeencommunityfoundation.com. Voting was held May 21 – June 7.

“It’s exciting to continue the Downtown Art Project for its sixth year,” AACF president Heath Johnson said. “We’re very grateful to the Arts Council for stepping up to run the project and to the downtown businesses who’ve made their windows available.” He added, “We encourage everyone to walk downtown to check them out and to vote for their favorite in our People’s Choice Award.”

The Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce and Aberdeen Area Convention & Visitors Bureau also support the Downtown Art Project.

The nine artists’ whose work will be featured are (Click an artist’s name to see their artwork and its location on Main Street):

About the Aberdeen Area Community Foundation

The Aberdeen Area Community Foundation was established in 1984 as a standalone 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with a goal of creating a long-term funding source for charitable causes in the local area. With careful investment, the fund will continue to grow and enhance quality of life in the local area forever. This fund is one of 90 Community Savings Accounts in partnership with the South Dakota Community Foundation. For more information, visit https://aberdeencommunityfoundation.com

About the Aberdeen Area Arts Council

The Aberdeen Area Arts Council enriches community life through the arts by connecting, sponsoring, and encouraging art opportunities through education and experiences.

About the Knight Foundation Aberdeen Fund

In 2004, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation created the Knight Aberdeen Fund with the South Dakota Community Foundation to support Aberdeen. Funded with $2 million, it has made more than 80 grants totaling over $1.3 million to more than 50 area organizations.

About the South Dakota Community Foundation

SDCF is a public non-profit organization established in 1987. SDCF, with offices in Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls and Aberdeen administers 1,300 funds benefiting hundreds of charitable organizations annually. The Foundation distributed more than $40 million in grants in 2024 which made a tremendous difference in communities statewide. This would not have been possible without the generosity of our donors. If you have a specific cause you would like to support or would prefer to give for the general good of our state, please visit https://sdcommunityfoundation.org/giving to learn more or call 1-800-888-1842.