Editor's note: This story was updated Friday (06-21-24) with the correct location of the event.

BROOKINGS — Its planners and doers — Executive Director Rachel Funk and Operations Manager Eileen Binkley — at the Brookings Arts Council are noting that it’s a first-time event that they want to go annual: a “Block Party Arts Fundraiser.”

“This is a new idea we’re trying this year and if it goes well, we hope to make it an annual event,” Binkley explained. “One of Rachel’s and my goals for the BAC is to bring in a younger audience: young families, even kids. We want everyone to know they’re welcome here.

“That’s not to say we don’t want our current patrons to leave; we just want to embrace a larger cross-section of our community. We don’t have an event that targets families or young people; so we thought we could host this block party as an outdoor event. We’ll have all these activities outside of our building and food.

“The hope is that people will come for the event and then take a tour of the building, see Amanda Berg’s show that’s up right now. We’ll have a membership booth, hoping to gain some new members — and just let people know this isn’t just an art gallery for serious, quiet people. We want to have some fun, too.”

 Ton of events

The event is a fundraiser with the money raised going directly to the BAC. Tickets are $20 per adult. Kids 0 to 14 are “Free with an adult!” The “venue” is outdoors in a cordoned off area next to the BAC building at 524 Fourth St. The date is June 27 (Thursday); the time is 5 to 7 p.m.

“We have a ton of events going on,” Binkley said. The big draw is “Live Art by Chuck Bennis.” He’s a well-known regional artist and also a BAC board member. His “canvas” is big and his subjects prolific. 

Other big draws include a screen painting demo by someone from CleanSlate Design + Print and live music from Jon Bakken of Tiger Meat Music Zine. Binkley said, “He’s loved by all, for sure.”

Binkley and Funk add to those headliners a “ton of events” for attendees to check out and enjoy: “Shop from local artist vendors, grab dinner from food trucks, enjoy live music and art making, yard games, face painting and more while learning what the BAC does in our community.”

Additionally, the executive director and the operations manager want the Brookings community to appreciate that BAC activities such as this first-ever block party and other arts events and activities are an “economic engine” and that “the arts bring us together.”

Noting the economic engine as evident locally, a “Brookings Snapshot” compiled by Arts South Dakota in partnership with Aberdeen, Brookings, Rapid City, Sioux Falls and Yankton showed local tax revenue to be about $154,000 and 133 jobs supported.

The BAC mission statement charges it with: “Encouraging community connections through the arts by providing a supportive environment for awareness, appreciation and participation.”

The board of directors overseeing the BAC allows for 15 members; 13 slots are presently filled. The hands-on overall operation of the BAC is done by Funk and Binkley.  Executive Director Funk, the BAC’s only full-time employee, is there for the BAC’s regular gallery hours: Thursday and Friday, 12 noon to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 2 to 5 p.m.

Operations Manager Binkley explained that “this is a new position; I just started my second year in May. Before that I was an art teacher in the public schools system.” 

Contact John Kubal at jkubal@brookingsregister.com.