ART IS FOR EVERYONE
Art is for everyone,
every day.
The VCA is committed to the inclusion of the arts in everyday public life.
We host, support, and promote events aimed at entertaining and enriching our community, from movies at the Coyote Twin to music at the annual River Honorings. It's how (and why) we #LOVermillion.
Art is more than just a skill—it’s a way for kids & teens to process emotions, connect with others, and uncover new passions.
Our goal for Messy Hands Summer Arts Camp is to expand opportunities, introduce new art forms, styles, and mediums, and ensure that even more kids & teens have access to a safe, inspiring space where creativity leads the way.
2026 session registration is open!
10am–4pm | Monday–Friday | $200
Lunch available through Summer Lunch Program [+$25], plus morning & afternoon snacks
Kid Camp: 4 groups (by age) move downtown locations to learn from 4 different professional teaching artists
Teen Camp: one group at one location learning from local teaching artists plus a special guest artist
Scholarship applications available upon request.
On Exhibit
For more than forty years, Benita VanWinkle has photographed hometown theaters across the country for her documentary project Please Remain Standing, a visual appeal to preserve the magnificent Art Deco detailing, elaborate marquees, and whimsical road signs of America’s remaining community theaters and drive-ins. Her mission is made manifest in her forthcoming book, America’s Hometown Theaters. The Coyote Twin is one of a dozen regional theaters featured in the book.
VanWinkle generously donated a selection of signed fine-art prints of her photographs for VCA to exhibit in our First Dakota Coyote Gallery. All proceeds benefit Coyote Twin preservation and improvements.
Visit the gallery to view the book and delight in small-town theater architecture from across America. Open Thursdays 6–9pm, Fridays & Saturdays 3–9pm, and Sundays noon–9pm.
And join us Tuesday, July 21, when VanWinkle visits the Vermillion. It’s her only book tour stop in South Dakota and a perfect evening for anyone who loves, film history, and architecture. She’ll be signing copies following the presentation. Purchase your tickets and copy of America’s Hometown Theaters now!
Ongoing
We’re accepting short film submissions to the third annual Vortex Film Festival now through July 26. We’d love to beat our two-year average of 45 submissions.
New this year: we’re partnering with Hiike Independent, a filmmaker-focused festival submission platform. Vortex was selected by Hiike to be one of the first 100 festivals featured on the site, and we’re excited to use their tools to plan our festival this year.
2-time Champs: Verm Defends “Best Art Scene” Title
Vermillion was voted the No. 1 Best Small Town Arts Scene in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice poll for the second year in a row! You can check out the 2025 full top 10 list
We are grateful for the artists, organizations, volunteers, and community members who make Vermillion such a vibrant place for arts and culture. And thank you to everyone who voted and continues to support the arts in Vermillion.
From 2025: You can read the Argus Leader’s “How Vermillion Became the Best Small Town Art Scene in the US.” The Volante at USD also printed a piece on the win. And before poll closed this year, Plain Talk helped rally votes with a great article on why Verm is coolest.