What kind of events can I submit?

You can submit events related to music, visual art, performance, film, and creative culture across the Black Hills.

That includes:

• Live music of any genre
• Art openings and gallery exhibitions
• Theater productions and staged readings
• Dance performances
• Comedy shows
• Film screenings
• Open mics and showcases
• Creative workshops and artist talks
• Markets and pop-ups featuring local makers
• DJ nights and curated nightlife events

If the event centers around creative expression or cultural experience, it likely belongs here.

What kind of events can’t I submit

Garage sales, Church bazaars, Political rallies, Sporting events or 5Ks

General business promotions not tied to an arts or cultural experience

Black Hills Art Beat is intentionally focused. That focus is what makes the calendar useful. If someone comes to the site, they know they’re looking at creative events, not everything happening in town.

If you’re unsure whether your event fits, submit it anyway. We review all submissions.

What about Art Classes?

No classes please.
We focus on public-facing creative experiences rather than ongoing instructional programming. While art and dance classes are valuable and important to the community, most are recurring educational offerings rather than time-specific cultural events. To keep the calendar clear and useful, we prioritize concerts, exhibitions, performances, screenings, and one-time or special events that audiences can attend. This keeps the listings focused and prevents the calendar from being overwhelmed by long-running class schedules.

Do you cover the entire Black Hills?

Yes.

Black Hills Art Beat is built to serve the entire region, not just one town. We aim to cover events across Rapid City, Spearfish, Deadwood, Lead, Custer, Hill City, Keystone, Sturgis, and surrounding communities. Northern Hills, Southern Hills, West River, and nearby Wyoming communities are all part of the ecosystem.

We are new and still growing, so the calendar will get stronger as more artists, venues, and promoters use the submission form. If you don’t see your town represented yet, that usually means we need more local submissions.

The goal is regional visibility. Creative communities are stronger when they can see each other.

How do I submit an event?

Use the event submission form on the website.

The form walks you through everything needed: event name, date and time, venue, description, categories, genre, ticket link, cost, and image upload. Once submitted, events are reviewed and then published to the calendar.

We strongly encourage using the form instead of emailing or sending social media messages. The form ensures your event is formatted correctly, shows up in the right filters, and includes all the details people are looking for.

The goal is to make this a system that runs smoothly for everyone.

Can I edit my event after I submit it?

If you need to update details after submission, reach out.

Ideally, double check your information before submitting. Time changes, ticket links, and venue details matter. That said, we understand plans shift. If something changes, contact us and we will update it.

Accuracy keeps the calendar credible.

Is it free to submit an event?

yes.

Submitting an event to Black Hills Art Beat is free. Our goal is access and visibility, especially for independent artists, small venues, and grassroots organizers.

Right now, we are focused on building a comprehensive, reliable creative calendar for the region. Down the road, there may be sponsorship or promotional options for increased visibility, but basic event listings are free.

We want this to be a tool the community actually uses, not a paywall that limits participation.

What is the Beat Drop?

The Beat Drop is a curated weekly shortlist of standout events.

While the full calendar lists everything submitted and approved, the Beat Drop highlights a select group of events each week. It is designed to give people a quick overview of what’s happening without having to scroll through the entire calendar.

Inclusion in the Beat Drop is editorial. It is not automatically triggered by submission and is not guaranteed. The goal is to spotlight a mix of genres, venues, and creative voices across the region.

Think of it as a quick pulse check on the week ahead..

Do you offer advertising or sponsorship opportunities?

Yes.

We work with venues, promoters, and businesses who want to support the platform or gain additional visibility. Sponsorship opportunities may include featured placement, newsletter inclusion, giveaways, or collaborative promotion.

If you’re interested in supporting Black Hills Art Beat while reaching an engaged creative audience, reach out to start the conversation.