After more than 23 years as the executive director of the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society, Rob Joyce stepped down from the position.

The JazzFest summer music festival was one of the main events the Joyce oversaw. After his departure, and after almost 30 years of festivals, it was announced that the event was canceled for the 2020 season.

It's been reported by the Rapid City Arts Council and the Dahl Arts Center that Robert Joyce has been appointed the new Executive Director of the organization.

Chance Whelchel, President of the Rapid City Arts Council Board of Directors stated, “After a lengthy hiatus and long search for a new leader for the Rapid City Arts Council, we are excited to have Robert Joyce on our team.  Rob is a proven leader with a passion for nonprofit arts organizations, who also has the experience to lead the Dahl and Rapid City Arts Council into the future.”

Robert Joyce moves to Rapid City from Sioux Falls.   He has over twenty years of past experience in arts leadership as the Executive Director of the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society and JazzFest, as well as a board experience with the Sioux Falls Arts Council and Orpheum Theater Board of Directors.

Robert (Rob) also has been a faculty member of Augustana University as well as the University of South Dakota Sioux Falls campus. He has a Master of Arts Degree in Education.

Joyce says of the new position, “I am excited and inspired by the level of dedication to the arts that I’ve witnessed here in Rapid City and the region.  I look forward to working with the community, artists, and organizations to continue the stellar history of the Rapid City Arts Council and the Dahl Arts Center.”


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