The nearly 300,000-square-foot South Dakota One Stop office building in east Sioux Falls was never intended to remain a facility of blank, sterile walls. But state officials faced a clear constraint: government budgets leave little room for art. That challenge set the stage for an unusual collaboration—one that ultimately brought South Dakota artists, businesses, and cultural institutions together to transform the massive workplace into a vibrant, welcoming environment.
Facilities acquisition and services director Tom Albrecht said the need became obvious early in the project.
“We were trying to figure out a way to brighten up the building, especially in the children’s areas,” he said. That’s when an introduction to Darrin Smith, CEO of the Washington Pavilion, shifted the direction of the project.
Through that connection, Albrecht learned about the Pavilion’s art consulting program, which provides professional curatorial expertise to organizations looking to incorporate art into their spaces.
“We had a very good meeting. I explained what our limitations were and what we were looking for, and they had done things like this before and jumped in with both feet,” he said. “I left the meeting thinking, ‘Did this just happen?’”
The partnership quickly grew beyond a simple consultation. Smith said the Pavilion wanted to fully support the project by supplying artwork directly from its education collection.
“To curate artwork that truly fit the One Stop story at this scale, we needed to expand that collection. We reached out to key supporters of the arts, our community and the state of South Dakota — and they loved the idea,” Smith said.
A wide coalition of supporters—including First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota, Dream Design International, Interstate Office Products, CO-OP Architecture and several others—helped make the initiative possible.
“We, along with our partners at the state, are deeply grateful for their generosity and proud to be part of this meaningful project,” Smith said.
During construction, state officials and the Pavilion’s art team walked the building to understand the scale of the opportunity—and the challenge.
“We really began to understand how many blank walls there were going to be,” said Jana Anderson, lead curator, who collaborated with curator Erin Castle on the project.
A follow-up visit after employees began moving in made the need even clearer. Anderson said the building felt overly clinical, especially for families visiting departments like Social Services.
“We understand that art can warm up a space and make it feel more welcoming. That was our initial goal with the artwork.”
From there, the curators worked with employee committees to shape the art strategy. They sought pieces that reflected South Dakota’s identity, its towns and landscapes, and the work of local talent.
“We spent a lot of time working with a committee of employees on what they would like to see every day… what really occurs here,” Anderson said. The vision that emerged prioritized pieces that felt “welcoming, joyful, peaceful and warm.”
Hundreds of photography submissions poured in from across South Dakota when the Pavilion issued a public call.
“From there, we included employees in jurying the first round of images… we were able to incorporate most of the feedback in final decisions,” Anderson said.
Alongside photography, curators selected a series of original artworks that aligned with employee preferences.
“A smaller group of stakeholders gave us feedback on the original artworks we presented, and much of that artwork now hangs in the building.”
One of the project’s major focal points was the children’s spaces used by the Department of Social Services.
“We wanted it to be a bright, happy, hopeful place for the kids in there,” Albrecht said. He praised the Pavilion team for their sensitivity and thoughtfulness.
“I’m glad there are people like the ones at the Washington Pavilion who have an eye for that because it was better than we could have put together ourselves and better than what we could have imagined.”
Art now fills major corridors, public conference rooms, and office areas. Some pieces have already become staff favorites.
“The artwork in the children’s playroom… has gotten a lot of comments,” Albrecht said. He noted that local photographer Paul Schiller’s photo titled “OK”—a unique view of downtown—is a standout.
“All of the art has been well received, and everything is just really cool.”
So far, about 100 curated pieces have been installed, but the Pavilion team says the project is only beginning.
“But we are not done,” Anderson said. She estimates the building could ultimately accommodate several hundred additional works. High-traffic and client-facing spaces remain the top priority.
The collection already showcases a striking diversity of styles, mediums and artistic voices from across the state.
“I think there is something around every corner that may interest anyone that goes into the building,” Anderson said.
“I have my favorites, but I think there is something for everyone, and everyone that encounters this collection of artwork will hopefully find their favorites.”
Originally reported by Washington Pavilion Management Inc. in Siouxfalls. Business.
