The South Dakota Art Museum is the property of the State of South Dakota. The purpose of the museum is to house pieces of art, sculpture, etchings, and other important cultural items belonging to the State of South Dakota and South Dakota State University or selected by the South Dakota Federation of Women’s Clubs to serve as an inspiration to all citizens of South Dakota.

The Board of Regents has authority over the museum. In recognition of its fund raising on behalf of the South Dakota Art Museum, the South Dakota Federation of Women’s Clubs may obtain authorization to locate its headquarters and offices within the museum. The Board of Regents may establish a memorial room in the museum to honor pioneers who made significant contributions to the progress of the state, and the South Dakota Federation of Women’s Clubs may select the individuals to be included in the memorial room.

South Dakota State University is responsible for and shall perform all the functions of the South Dakota Art Museum including business operations, accession, de-accession of holdings, and operation and maintenance expenses. South Dakota State University shall assure that the facility is managed and arranged as not to interfere with the rights, privileges, and purposes assured by this section to the South Dakota Federation of Women’s Clubs.

Any grant or donation made to the South Dakota Art Museum after July 1, 2015, may be accepted and administered by South Dakota State University.

Source: SL 1957, ch 79, §§ 3, 4, 6; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.1210; SL 1965, ch 40; SDCL § 13-58-20; SL 1975, ch 128, § 358; SL 2015, ch 108, § 1.