The Center for Western Studies

The Center for Western Studies Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from The Center for Western Studies, Art Gallery, 2121 S Summit Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD.
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The mission of the Center for Western Studies at Augustana University is improving the quality of social and cultural life in the Northern Plains, achieving a better understanding of the region, & stimulating interest in the solution to regional problems. Founded by author and Augustana College (now Augustana University) English Professor Herbert Krause, the Center for Western Studies (CWS) is a m

useum, art gallery, and book publisher dedicated to improving the quality of social and cultural life in the Northern Plains. The Center is also a repository for over 500 substantive archival and manuscript collections and a 36,000-volume library which are available for public research. Located on the campus of Augustana University, CWS sponsors annual events such as the Boe Forum, the Dakota Conference, and the Artists of the Plains Art Show and Sale.

04/23/2026
Exciting news from CWS! We are pleased to share the release of our newest book, titled “The Missouri, America’s Longest ...
04/21/2026

Exciting news from CWS! We are pleased to share the release of our newest book, titled “The Missouri, America’s Longest River: A Cultural and Environmental History.”

To celebrate its release, we will host a panel at this week’s Dakota Conference on Thursday, April 23, that will feature contributors of the book. This panel will also be live-streamed on our page.

Copies of this book can be purchased at CWS, local retailers such as Barnes and Noble, Zandbroz, and the Old Courthouse Museum. Copies are also available online through the University of Nebraska Press’ website.

The Center for Western Studies (CWS) at Augustana University has published its latest book titled “The Missouri, America’s Longest River: A Cultural and Environmental History,” edited by Drs. Jon K. Lauck and Harry F. Thompson. The official launch of “The Missouri” will take place at the 5...

The Center for Western Studies will be closed Friday, April 3, through Monday, April 6, for the Easter holiday.
04/02/2026

The Center for Western Studies will be closed Friday, April 3, through Monday, April 6, for the Easter holiday.

Thanks to all who joined us for this important conversation with Cmdr. James Stavridis.
03/27/2026

Thanks to all who joined us for this important conversation with Cmdr. James Stavridis.

Join us this Thursday for the our opening artist reception for our new show “Rivers of the Plains” which features 40 wor...
03/16/2026

Join us this Thursday for the our opening artist reception for our new show “Rivers of the Plains” which features 40 works from 27 of the region’s finest artists. This will be a great opportunity to meet and hear from artists featured in this show. Cookies and coffee provided!

📅- March 19th, 2026
⏰- 6:30p.m.
📍- CWS Gallery
🎟️- Free and open to the public

Please see flyer for information on this year’s Northern Plains Indigenous Film Festival!
02/19/2026

Please see flyer for information on this year’s Northern Plains Indigenous Film Festival!

The Center for Western Studies will be closed Monday, Jan. 19, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
01/16/2026

The Center for Western Studies will be closed Monday, Jan. 19, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Happy holidays from CWS! Our building will be closed Dec. 22-26 and Jan. 1. We will also have reduced hours (8:30am-4:30...
12/19/2025

Happy holidays from CWS! Our building will be closed Dec. 22-26 and Jan. 1. We will also have reduced hours (8:30am-4:30pm) on Jan. 2.

The Center for Western Studies will be closed Wednesday-Friday, Nov. 26-28, for the Thanksgiving holiday.
11/24/2025

The Center for Western Studies will be closed Wednesday-Friday, Nov. 26-28, for the Thanksgiving holiday.

We hope you’ll join us tomorrow night for our Artist Reception for “Crossing Horizons: The Artwork of Hector Curriel and...
11/18/2025

We hope you’ll join us tomorrow night for our Artist Reception for “Crossing Horizons: The Artwork of Hector Curriel and Juan Beltran” which will take place from 6-7pm at the Center for Western Studies.

Join us for an enjoyable evening celebrating this beautiful new exhibition. Meet the artists, explore the work, and enjoy light refreshments as we celebrate this show together.

Collections Associate Liz Cisar spoke recently with KELOLAND News about Augustana University's complicated history as "t...
11/14/2025

Collections Associate Liz Cisar spoke recently with KELOLAND News about Augustana University's complicated history as "the college on wheels."

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Augustana University has been a staple in Sioux Falls for over 100 years, but what you may not know is that southeast South Dakota was not its first home. Augustana…

Address

2121 S Summit Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD
57197

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+16052744007

Website

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