DICKINSON – The Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation has pledged $500,000 over five years to support the Southwest Art Gallery + Science Center (SWAG+SC) in Dickinson. The funding will allow SWAG+SC to expand its arts and science programming, improve facilities and increase educational outreach to rural communities in southwestern North Dakota.
According to Dustin Young, executive director of SWAG+SC, the funds will advance three key projects.
“The $500,000 pledge from the Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation will allow us to move forward in three very important aspects of our programming initiatives,” said Young.
One project involves upgrading the art gallery’s lighting and sound systems. Located in Dickinson’s former town hall, the gallery used improvised equipment. The upgrades will bring professional lighting and audio capabilities.
Young explained that since moving into the space, SWAG+SC has added screens, televisions and projectors. However, “lighting and sound require consultation with professionals to make sure we’re using the space in the best ways possible while remaining flexible enough to host many different events, not just art exhibits,” Young said.
In addition, the foundation’s funding will help launch SWAG+SC’s mobile STEAM Engine initiative, which aims to bring arts and science programs to remote areas. The initiative includes a mobile STEM and art station outfitted inside a cargo van that will travel to rural communities throughout North Dakota’s Region 8.
Young described the STEAM Engine as “a colorful beacon of creativity as we reach out to bring fun and educational experiences to places that don’t often get them.”
The funding will also support renovations to SWAG+SC’s main floor to create a Learning Center designed for classes, workshops and community events.
“Versatility is important because we want this space to be used for a wide range of activities,” Young said, adding that the Learning Center’s layout will include spaces to accommodate recitals, small theater performances and community meetings. .
The Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation, established in 1982, focuses on preserving and promoting North Dakota’s cultural heritage. Aaron Barth, the foundation’s executive director, expressed enthusiasm for aligning the collaboration with the missions of both organizations.
“When we engage in a dialogue with the past, we activate that past and make history and cultural heritage relevant,” Barth said. “Art and the arts of the sciences remain important in the continued development of authenticity and love of country.”
The partnership began after the SWAG+SC Board of Directors sent letters to local gaming entities seeking potential donors. Barth, who oversees game operations at the Paragon Bowl/Champs, saw SWAG+SC’s educational mission as a compatible partner for FALF’s goals.
“It was a great moment for our two organizations to connect at the right moment in time,” Young said.
Since its founding, SWAG+SC has aimed to engage audiences of all ages through accessible programming that encourages exploration of art and science. The collaboration with FALF supports the goals of both organizations to promote cultural appreciation and historical awareness.
“This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to promote historical and cultural appreciation along with educational enrichment in North Dakota,” Young said.
He added that SWAG+SC and FALF will work to create educational experiences that represent the “essence, zeitgeist and vernacular that encompasses Western North Dakota and the Northern Plains.”
Additionally, the STEAM Engine initiative is expected to expand educational opportunities for students and educators in southwestern North Dakota. SWAG+SC has already engaged with community groups in Dunn and Bowman counties to bring art and STEM experiences to local schools and create accessible learning spaces for residents.
Young also noted that the foundation’s pledge comes in the midst of SWAG+SC’s Capital Campaign, which is raising funds to pay off its building and start the Science Center portion of the facility. Plans for the Science Center include an interactive water table exhibit that will take 18 months to complete, with an estimated timeline of two to three years for the entire project.
“The Science Center will take some time to complete as we continue to plan and fundraise,” Young said.
He explained that while the main exhibits are in the planning and funding stages, the center will offer temporary interactive science, art and cultural displays for the community.
The Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation’s support, Young said, “ensures that citizens of all backgrounds and ethnicities have a voice, creating a relevant dialogue between the past, present and future citizens of Southwest North Dakota.”
James B. Miller, Jr. is editor of The Dickinson Press in Dickinson, North Dakota. It strives to bring community-focused, professional and hyper-local news coverage to southwestern North Dakota.
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