Art is for Everyone.

We believe

Creativity Creates Community.

As a nonprofit arts organization we celebrate creativity, cultivate ideas, start conversions, and challenge cultural perspectives in our community.

Making a Difference in Spearfish

Our Work Our Results

  • Youth Outreach

    30+ Free Youth Art Programs 

    hosted in The Matthews Arts Center annually.

    40 Young Actors

    cast in Children's Theater shows (2019).

    1,550 Students Engaged

    at local public schools (2018-2019).

  • Community Engagement

    250+ Visual Art Project Participants

    creating free personal and public art (2018).

    16 Collaborative Conversations

    about art creativity within our community (2019).

    1300 Attendees to Free Topical Discussions

    exploring the Arts and Humanities, including a lecture from US Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith (2019).
  • Performance Arts

    58 Live Performances

    hosted on the Matthews' stage (2018).

    200+ Theater Rehearsals

    with local community theater actors (2018-2019).

    17 Film Screenings

    with facilitated community discussions.
  • Visual Arts

    200+ Regional and National Artists

    participate in Festival in the Park annually.

    42 Juried Black Hills Artists 

    featured in our gallery.

    127 Art Entries 

    in the 2019 Community Art Show.

Did you Know

Ticket Sales make up only 18%

of the annual operating budget for the Matthews Opera House and Arts Center. Support from donors like you is critical to our success.

SUPPORT THE MATTHEWS TODAY!

SUPPORT THE MATTHEWS TODAY!

Bringing diverse art and theatrical experiences to Spearfish and the Black Hills is only made possible by you!

Financial support by businesses, individuals, and foundations are an essential part of providing quality programming that rivals major metropolitan theaters and engages more than 40,000 participants annually. Charitable giving and awarded grants comprise 60% of The Matthews’ budget. Our generous supporters allow us to provide dozens of inspiring education programs and theatrical productions ranging from professional-quality musicals to volunteer-driven productions of new works, all while keeping our ticket prices affordable in the beautiful and historic Matthews Opera House.

Our Programming

Performance Arts Programming
Performance Arts Programming

Whether you're an actor or audience member, the Matthews has a wide variety of performance opportunities available. Our annual community theater productions give Black Hills residents their chance to shine in the spotlight, and our Subscription and Jazz Series brings diverse musical experiences and unique theatrical performances from around the world to our stage.

Visual Arts Programming
Visual Arts Programming

The Matthews is home to dozens of Black Hills artists. Our Arts Center hosts an annual Community Art Show which invites local residents, young and old, to have their art displayed in our gallery. With ever-changing artwork and special exhibits, there’s always something new to see.

Education and Youth Outreach
Education and Youth Outreach

The Matthews creates meaningful artistic experiences for area youth to engage their imaginations, increase critical thinking skills, and foster emotional intelligence. With free art programs, an annual children’s theater production, and several artist residencies in local schools each year, arts education for the youngest residents of the Black Hills is one of our top priorities.

Community Art Projects
Community Art Projects

We believe art is for everyone, and everyone is an artist! Community art projects help us engage with area locals, while also bringing art outside the Matthews’ doors. From public mural collaborations to community conversations around music and culture, we love to see the arts thrive in the Spearfish area. 

Join Our Campaign

Join Our Campaign

Help us reimagine the arts in the Black Hills for another century.

Our Sponsors

KEVN Black Hills Fox
Holiday Inn
Black Hills Pioneer
  • Spearfish
  • Killian's Food & Drink
  • Real Estate Center of Spearfish
  • Spearfish Motors
  • Prairie Hills Transit
  • South Dakota Arts Council
  • Great Western Bank
  • Lucky's 13 Pub
  • DeSmet and Biggs, LLP
  • TDG
  • Mitchell's Barber Shop
  • Wolff's Plumbing & Heating