A Vocational Success Story
By Reese New | Employment Services
Black Hills Works is a nonprofit organization in Rapid City, South Dakota dedicated to supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in living full, meaningful lives. A big part of that mission is employment and helping the people we support find careers that are the right fit for who they are and what they love.
This month, we are excited to share one of the most innovative additions to our vocational department, the Suzie Cappa Artist Pathway.
The Suzie Cappa Art Center is a professional, community-facing art studio located within Black Hills Works where artists with disabilities create and sell their work. Artists are paid through commissions on their artwork, making this real, meaningful employment. The studio is open to the public and has long been a beloved part of the Rapid City community.
For the first time, we have developed a structured employment pathway that gives individuals a clear and supported road to becoming a paid artist at the studio. The journey begins with an Exploration Tour where individuals learn about the artist position, see the studio firsthand, and share their own artwork with our team. From there, interested individuals are invited into the Suzie Cappa Art Internship, a hands-on experience in the studio that serves as the final step toward employment as a paid artist.
What makes this pathway truly special is what happens when someone needs more time to grow. We developed the Suzie Cappa Art Foundations Class to meet that need. Offered once a month at the Art Center and taught by our studio staff, this beginner level class introduces participants to color theory, contrast, brush stroke techniques, and composition. Every participant leaves with confidence and new skills.
The Suzie Cappa Artist Pathway represents everything we believe employment can and should look like for the people we support. It is personalized, meaningful, and it opens a door to a career that is uniquely theirs. Art has always had the power to connect people, and we are proud to offer an opportunity that not only develops careers but contributes to the cultural fabric of our community. Great art is coming, and we are honored to be part of the journey that brings it to life
