South Dakota State of Create Passport
Expiration: 365 days after purchase
Explore a state full of artistic wonders. To create is to live, to spread joy, reflection and connection. With our State of Create Passport, you can experience all of this and win prizes along the way.
From towering works to hidden gems, the magic of creation awaits your discovery. Hit the road and see why South Dakota is truly a #HiFromSD
Included Venues
See locations on an interactive map.
Dakota Plains Gallery & Gifts
The Dakota Plains Gallery & Gifts in downtown Chamberlain provides a venue for artists to showcase and market their work. The gallery also features artists who provide gallery talks, cultural classes, storytelling and author signings. The Dakota Indian Foundation is a non-profit organization that created the Dakota Plains Gallery for the purpose of promoting economic development for local tribal artists. Every purchase is a donation toward academic scholarships and grants that preserve Dakota culture.
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What's Included
- Free 10x13 Inch Print By Elton A Three Stars Sr. For Each Individual.
Black Hills Playhouse
Experience incredible theatre in a stunning setting. Since 1946, this cultural gem has been producing theatre on the site of a Civilian Conservation Corps Camp. Join for musicals, romance, comedy and drama in the rustic beauty of Custer State Park. The Playhouse offers a casual atmosphere and air-conditioned theater, featuring concessions and lovely picnic grounds. Performances are Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 2 p.m. and Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Reservations recommended. A Custer State Park entrance pass is required.
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Mead Museum
The Mead Museum, located on the north edge of Yankton, provides visitors of all ages an authentic historical experience in a beautiful building. There are 3 floors of exhibits including the fully interactive Children's Transportation Museum, an exhibit that follows the journey of Lewis & Clark, as well as an exhibit about the history of the Yankton State Hospital. Summer 2024 will feature brand new exhibit programs: "Spanning a Century: The Meridian Highway Bridge"; "Homestead Hardships: Surviving Dakota Territory", and 2 exhibits that celebrate the history of the St. John's Lodge Masonic Temple as well as the Yankton Fire Department. "South Dakota in Postcards" continues through the end of September. In addition, the outside Heritage Park, currently being developed, will bring history to life through buildings such as the 1906 Gunderson school house, a Great Northern Railroad Depot, 1870s blacksmith shop and more. Summer hours are Monday-Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday & Sunday 12pm-4pm.
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What's Included
- $3.00 Off Adult Admission
Levitt at the Falls
The Levitt Shell Sioux Falls is an outdoor music venue located in the heart of downtown Sioux Falls. The Levitt lawn serves a gathering place for the community and visitors, while fostering social interactions among people of all ages and backgrounds. Levitt at the Falls ensures access to professional performing arts to everyone through a season of 50 free concerts each summer, featuring acclaimed artists in a wide range of music genres. Learn more about upcoming concerts by visiting their website.
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Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame
Experience the legacy of the world-famous Sturgis Rally and explore our ever-changing collection of custom, antique, and racing motorcycles. Check out our Hall of Fame, where we honor motorcycling's luminaries. Open year-round; Seasonal hours: May through September: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and October through April: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit museum and are donor-funded. Wheelchair accessible. Groups welcome.
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What's Included
- 10% Off Admission With Passport Check-In.
Sturgis Car Museum
The Saab Heritage Car Museum USA offers a unique opportunity to see and celebrate Saab’s contributions to the American automotive landscape. Featuring over 100 cars, including rare Saabs from the GM Heritage Collection, as well as the oldest Saab in the country, the Saab Heritage Museum USA is a must-see attraction in Sturgis.
Wilde Prairie Winery
Wilde Prairie Winery is a family farm located just west of beautiful Split Rock Creek in southeastern South Dakota. Wander through the vineyards after a wine tasting in the renovated barn originally built in 1911. Visit the Wilde Prairie Winery for seasonal events and enjoy their wines all using South Dakota-grown fruit and honey.
Wild West Songwriters Festival
Join us in welcoming more than 20 top songwriters and artists to Deadwood in mid-October. This three-day Wild West Songwriters Festival will feature informal performances at various locations around Deadwood, writers rounds, and Grand Jam sessions. Discover the moments that inspired your favorite hits and hear the songwriters themselves put their original spin on what came to be a radio smash. Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster.
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Visual Arts Center at Washington Pavilion
With a sculpture garden, studios for all ages, and eight galleries, the Visual Arts Center is a beacon of artistic expression in downtown Sioux Falls. The center’s permanent collection features more than 1,600 works, including more than 300 by noted South Dakota artists such as Oscar Howe, Lova Jones and Charles Greener. The collections also include 123 works on paper by artist Adolf Dehn, a growing collection of studio pottery (including works by Maria Martinez and Betty Woodman) and a steel sculpture by Richard Hunt on display in the Paladino-Hohm Sculpture Garden on the building’s north side.
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University of South Dakota Art Galleries
The collection of art galleries on the University of South Dakota campus in Vermillion makes it easy to experience a diverse collection of art in an afternoon. Inside the Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts, the John A Day Gallery features rotating exhibits and hosts receptions, lectures, art auctions and various art educational events and functions for the public. Just across the street is The Oscar Howe Gallery, home to the largest single collection of works by the internationally noted Native artist and former USD faculty member.
The John A. Day Gallery is open from 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on weekends by special appointment. The Oscar Howe Gallery is in Historic Old Main and is open to the public Monday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m., except on national holidays. Both are free to visit and closed for major holidays.
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The World's Only Corn Palace
A true icon of the Midwest, the Corn Palace is a celebration of South Dakota’s agricultural heritage. With its ever-changing murals made entirely of corn, this one-of-a-kind landmark is both quirky and awe-inspiring. Stop by for a tour, a festival, or simply a great photo.
The Matthews Opera House & Arts Center
The Matthews Opera House, built in 1906, is the centerpiece of the arts in Spearfish. The mission of The Matthews Opera House and Arts Center is to promote the arts and humanities by providing quality programming and education while preserving the 1906 building. The Matthews operates the Art Gallery, a forum for visual arts, and the Matthews Opera House Theater, offering live theater and concerts throughout the year. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday (plus performances and special events).
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The Custer Beacon
The Custer Beacon is a restaurant, lounge and live music venue in Custer. Committed to providing the southern Black Hills with a beautiful space to play, eat and be together. Hours are Wednesday and Thursday, 4-10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 4-11 p.m.
Termesphere Gallery
Dick Termes is an internationally acclaimed artist whose work has been recognized around the world. He is a truly unique artist who utilizes a revolutionary 6-point perspective system to paint fanciful worlds on spheres known as Termespheres. Each Termesphere® is a revolving, three-dimensional optical illusion, ranging in size from 1 to 7.5 feet. Located southeast of Spearfish, the Termesphere Gallery is open year-round. During the summer, it’s open seven days per week, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
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Suzie Cappa Art Center
The Suzie Cappa Art Center, located in downtown Rapid City, was established in 2001 in memory of Suzie Cappa, who received services from Black Hills Works. It is a non-profit studio where artists with all abilities create, exhibit, and sell their work. Hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
South Dakota Symphony Orchestra
For 100 years, the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra has been enlightening audiences with top-notch musical performances ranging from movie themes to traditional classical works. Featuring nine full-time musicians, the 75-member orchestra performs in schools, hospitals, community centers, and its home at the Mary W. Sommervold Concert Hall at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls. The orchestra is led by Delta David Gier, the 2022 recipient of the Ditson Conductor's Award. Check out their website to learn how their sounds can enlighten and inspire you during your South Dakota adventure.
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South Dakota Art Museum
Explore the state's artistic gem! Galleries feature Indigenous art, Harvey Dunn paintings, Paul Goble illustrations, Marghab Linens and dynamic exhibits by regional and national artists. The on-site store features jewelry, pottery and original works of art by local and regional artists along with books about South Dakota history and culture. Kids love the artmaking activities and gallery scavenger hunts. Admission is free!
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Sioux River Folk Festival
The annual Sioux River Folk Festival, held at Newton Hills State Park near Canton, is a great family event that happens on August 2-4, 2024. It is dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional music for South Dakotans and the region. Enjoy musical performances, workshops, food vendors and yoga. Musicians perform 6-11 p.m. on Friday, 12-11 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday. State Park Entrance License is required.
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Redlin Art Center
A gift from artist Terry Redlin, the Redlin Art Center in Watertown showcases more than 160 of his original oil paintings that celebrate nature and small-town America. Visitors can explore three exclusive gift shops and stroll through the 30-acre Conservation Park. Open year-round with free admission, the center's hours vary seasonally— please check the website or Facebook for details.
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What's Included
- Free Pencil Sketch (reproduction) By Terry Redlin With Passport Check-in.
RedCan Graffiti Jam
For several days each summer, the RedCan graffiti jam connects kids on South Dakota’s Cheyenne River Reservation with major street artists—and their own traditions. Together, they work to beautify locations throughout town. Art classes, ceremonies, and skateboard-painting workshops are all part of the experience. Lakota songs, dances, and regalia are also highlighted. Not only are artists showcasing a global movement, its relevance and how to be part of it, they’re connecting the graffiti world with the indigenous one, allowing Lakota artists to infuse graffiti with their own culture, identities and stories. It also offers an unprecedented opportunity for the Cheyenne River community to experience what has become the largest art movement in the history of humankind.
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Racing Magpie
With a focus on Native and regional artists, Racing Magpie is a contemporary nexus and hub for creativity, congregation, sustainability and learning. With a modern Native art gallery, studios for Native artists, and a spirit of collaboration, Racing Magpie’s artist-centric mission makes it a place to experience.
Post Pilgrim Gallery - J. White
Admission is always free at the Post Pilgrim Art Gallery, where Native heritage is celebrated with the work of established and emerging artists giving the state a look at Native avant-garde. Located in the lower level of Last Stop CD Shop on East 10th Street in Sioux Falls, Post Pilgrim Art Gallery is a hidden South Dakota gem that’s dedicated to the future of our visual arts culture by documenting lives and stories through art. The gallery features an array of artists, each depicting various technique and mediums that tell a story beyond the confines of history. With a spacious area of art exhibitions and a 75-seat venue called the White Wall Sessions for live music, Post Pilgrim Art Gallery is setting a precedent for the art scene in the Sioux Empire.
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Porter Sculpture Park
It is an outdoor sculpture park that is visited by tourists from all over the world. There are more than 50 sculptures illustrating the artist's unique view. The tallest sculpture – a bull’s head – is 60 feet tall and weighs 25 tons.
Paha Sapa Cowboys & Indians Art Festival
Held annually on a July weekend, the festival features and promotes Native American and Western-themed art & jewelry. There are also live performances and more. It all combines into one great reason to take in the event in Deadwood!
Oscar Howe’s Mobridge Murals
Painted by famous Native American artist Oscar Howe in 1942, with the help of a two-week furlough from the federal government, the ten life-sized murals that grace the walls of the Mobridge Auditorium never fail to inspire visitors. The Auditorium is on the National Register of Historic Places as a WPA project from 1939. The murals are available for viewing Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., via the Mobridge Area Chamber of Commerce in the on-site Visitor's Center and by appointment on the weekends.
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Nicollet Tower & Interpretive Center
Named after the famous French mapmaker Joseph Nicollet that explored the area in 1839, the tower offers visitors a breathtaking view of three states, six counties and the north-south Continental Divide. Climb the 96 steps to take in the natural beauty. The tower is free to visit and open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from mid-May to mid-October.
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National Music Museum
Discover a world of sound at the National Music Museum, home to one of the most extraordinary collections of musical instruments on the planet. From Stradivarius violins to rock ‘n’ roll relics, this museum offers a symphony of history, culture, and craftsmanship.
Mahpiya Luta The Heritage Center
The Heritage Center is a Native American gift shop, cultural center, and fine arts gallery, with one of the most impressive collections of historic and contemporary Native art in the country. It is located on the Red Cloud Indian School campus, a beautiful, one-hour drive southeast of Hot Springs. This fantastic display of culture and history is not to be missed! Admission to The Heritage Center Gift Shop and Gallery is free and is open daily, Memorial Day-Labor Day, and Monday-Friday in the winter. Campus tours are $12 per person or $200 for a group with 14 or more people and are offered Monday-Friday year-round. See the annual Art Show, June-August.
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Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant
Discover the stories that make South Dakota extraordinary! Tune into the Travel South Dakota Stories Podcast featuring Little Town on the Prairie at travelsouthdakota.com/podcast.
The annual Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant in De Smet is an outdoor theater experience. Join us as we celebrate the Ingalls family and De Smet’s early history. Our outdoor prairie stage over looks cottonwood trees planted by Charles and the Big Slough. Seating is provided, but lawn chairs are welcome (jackets and/or blankets are recommended). The gates open at 6 p.m. and the performance begins at 8 p.m. All seating is general admission. The show does not sell out and we do not turn guests away. 2024 performance dates are July 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21.
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Johnny Swatek Fine Arts
Since 1992, Johnny Swatek has been in South Dakota, creating masterpieces in a variety of mediums. Although experienced with pastels, ink and watercolor, but it’s his oil paintings that have garnered him the most attention. See his work – and perhaps the master in action – at his downtown studio and learn how his work is a direct result of his mantra: “Pour your time and energy into your dreams, not your problems.”
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John Lopez Sculpture Gallery
John Lopez creates life like sculptures from scrap iron sourced locally from farmers and ranchers in the area. Stop by the Kokomo Gallery in Lemmon, SD to experience his work in person. John's work has been shipped all over the world including France, Monaco, Qatar and San Francisco. The Kokomo Gallery is the only place you can see this many of John's pieces in one day.
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Historic Homestake Opera House
In 1914, this 24,000-square-foot building was built by the Homestake Gold Mine, owned by Phoebe Apperson Hearst, for their workers and families. Although the original idea was to build a theatre, Thomas Griere, superintendent of the Homestake Mine at the time, decided to turn it into a recreation building too. A swimming pool, bowling alley, billiards hall, library and social halls were added to the construction plans. All of it operated until, unfortunately, the theater was nearly destroyed by fire in 1984. Restoration work continues alongside performing arts events. Concerts, movies, theatre, dance and weddings are hosted year-round. Tours are available Monday-Friday at 11am, 1pm, 2pm, & 3pm on the hour and run 30-45 minutes.
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Hill City Quilt Show
On September 10-11, more than 200 unique quilts will be showcased at the Hill City Quilt Show, both inside and outside, decorating the downtown. Vendors will share everything new and exciting in quilting, along with demonstrations and trunk shows. Learn more about the Hill City Quilt Show and full list of Hill City Arts Council events at HillCityArts.org.
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Heritage Hall Museum & Archives
This “unintentional museum” grew from a small assortment of specimens to an independent museum full of 20,000 items that cover the diverse natural and cultural history of the Greater Freeman area, which was settled largely by Germans from Russia in the 1870s. Visit today to see everything from old cars and motorcycles, to farm equipment, household items and much more.
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What's Included
- 10% Off Anything From The Museum Mercantile/gift Shop
Goss Opera House
Built in 1889 by Charles Goss, The Goss Opera House remains the heart of downtown Watertown. Every inch of the historic building was restored in an extensive $5M renovation project, ensuring future generations their own memories at The Goss. It now boasts a world-class sound system and state-of-the-art climate control, as well as elegant decor and beautiful lighting. The Reliabank Theater offers ticketed performances throughout the year and each of the elegant suites are available for rent.
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Faulkton Murals
The town of Faulkton may be small, but their commitment to the arts is gigantic. So are the two large-scale murals of people and scenes unique to the town. International artists used a grain elevator to create photorealistic portrayals of folks that look like giant residents of the town. On the west side of the Faulk County Museum, two Nigerian artists created “The Last Wild Buffalo Hunt,” a mural depicting the county’s last wild buffalo being hunted by a young man on horseback in 1883.
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Eagle Butte Murals
The Red Can Graffiti Jam has covered the community in artwork. Explore it all to experience artistic celebration in Eagle Butte. From the many pieces in the Waniyetu Wowapi CRYP Art Park to the gigantic “Mitákuye Oyášiŋ” (“We are all related”) mural that welcomes to people into town, this community is alive with color and expression!
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Dignity: of Earth & Sky
Standing tall above the Missouri River, the Dignity: of Earth and Sky statue is a breathtaking tribute to the strength and wisdom of the Lakota and Dakota people. This 50-foot-tall sculpture, adorned with a star-quilt design, honors the Indigenous cultures of South Dakota while welcoming travelers with grace and beauty. Pause here, take in the view, and feel the spirit of the land.
Deadwood Alive
Listen as you adventure with the Travel South Dakota Stories Podcast, featuring an episode on Deadwood: https://www.travelsouthdakota.com/podcast.
Enjoy authentic re-enactments of Deadwood's rough and tumble past come to life. Gunshots (safely) ring out on Deadwood’s Historic Main Street three times a day, six days a week (no killin’ on Sundays) every summer. But the fun doesn’t end there. See the shooting of Wild Bill and the capture of “Crooked Nose” Jack McCall at the Wild Bill theatre above the Wild Bill Bar for The Trial of Jack McCall! This kind of fun can only be found in Historic Deadwood!
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Dakota Stoneware Pottery
Dakota Stoneware Pottery was established in 1972. Dave Huebner is the artist/potter. He makes a variety of different clay forms and utilitarian ware. Dave is also a historian and makes historic reproductions for museum gift shops. Dave specializes in pottery decorated with themes of the prairie such as buffalo and pheasants. He also makes a few whimsical creations such as dragons, frogs and figurines.
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Dahl's Chainsaw Art
Tucked away in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, Jarrett and Jordan Dahl use chainsaws to carve bears, eagles, and other detailed and masterful works of art out of Black Hills pine and other wood. Nothing quite conveys their mastery of the craft, attention to detail, and pure skill like visiting one of the three Dahl's Chainsaw Art galleries in the Black Hills (Hill City, Keystone and Deadwood). If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a Jarrett or Jordan doing a carving in person. The centerpiece in Hill City is the 30-foot-tall Smokey the Bear statue.
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Dahl Arts Center
The Dahl Arts Center, located in Downtown Rapid City, is a community-owned art space, offering a variety of attractions. It features five curated art galleries, a hands-on Art Studio designed for families, and the Dahl Artists' Market, where art crafted by local and regional artists is available for purchase. Managed by the Rapid City Arts Council, The Dahl is a community space that hosts all kinds of arts and culture events. It also provides art education programs for both youth and adults, along with open pottery and art studios, offering people a welcoming space to unleash their creativity.
The Dahl is open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm, entry to the galleries is always free, with donations warmly welcomed.
Crazy Horse Memorial
Discover the stories that make South Dakota extraordinary! Tune into the Travel South Dakota Stories Podcast featuring Crazy Horse Memorial at travelsouthdakota.com/podcast.
Located in the heart of the Black Hills of western South Dakota, Crazy Horse Memorial is the world's largest mountain carving in progress. When completed, the depiction of the great Lakota warrior will be 641 feet long and 563 feet high. Crazy Horse Memorial is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, with funding being provided by admission to the memorial and private donations. The purpose of the project is to protect and preserve the culture and living heritage of all North American Indians.
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What's Included
- Free Sticker With Passport Check In At Welcome Desk.
Chautauqua Artisans Market
Chautauqua Artisans Market is a non-profit center that offers a venue for local and regional artisans to exhibit and market their work. The market also provides arts and crafts classes. Visit Chautauqua Artisans Market to find unique, locally made arts and crafts.
Carnegie Resource Center
The Carnegie Resource center houses a permanent collection of Corn Palace memorabilia as well as several changing exhibits pertaining to Mitchell area history and genealogy. You can view Dakota Yanktonai artist Oscar Howe’s mural “Sun and Clouds and Rain Over Hills” in the dome of the Carnegie Resource Center and discover the comprehensive collection of Mitchell historical information and Corn Palace memorabilia, including signed photos by many of the famous performers at the Corn Palace.
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Black Hills Film Festival - All Locations
BHFF is a true celebration of cinema and the mavericks who do what it takes to get their vision to the screen. The festival shows world-class films in the mountain towns of Hill City, Hot Springs, Rapid City, Spearfish, and other Black Hills communities. Live screenings at multiple venues around the area are solidly attended by an engaged community of artists and cinephiles and paired with great receptions and mixers. Come enjoy some amazing cinema in beautiful western South Dakota!
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Bicycle Sculpture
This one-of-a-kind sculpture has been entertaining travelers for 40 years! Composed of hundreds of old bicycles, the sculpture is a fun roadside attraction that features a path in the middle.
Aberdeen Capitol Theatre & Cinema
Aberdeen's Capitol Theatre is a 450-seat, renovated 1926 vaudeville/movie house on historic Main Street. Along with the Aberdeen Community Theater's live theater season between March and November, ACT’s Capitol Cinema programming features Hollywood films seven nights a week throughout the year and an art gallery in the main lobby. For more than 40 years, ACT and its Young People’s Theatre have been providing quality, award-winning productions for the Aberdeen area. See the ACT for what show is currently running as well as links to what's playing at the Capitol Cinema.
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