This letter published in the Argus Leader Saturday, August 11:

It is no doubt that JazzFest has been successful for several years and enriches our community. The organization that hosts the event, Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society, works in conjunction with many local artists to make JazzFest and several of their staple programs sensational.

Working with a modest budget and staff, SFJB compensates local musicians, writers and visual artists for assisting with their programming. Besides JazzFest, SFJB also calls on local talent to help with the Jazz Diversity Project, their concert series and Jazz Appreciation Month.

I have had the pleasure of helping with the visual identity of JazzFest over the past two years, and I can honestly say Executive Director, Rob Joyce and Executive Assistant Katrina Lehr-Mckinney have only treated me with respect and listened when I have offered advice and ideas.

It is refreshing to know that there is an arts organization in Sioux Falls that understands the best way to foster the arts in the community is by tapping into local talent and compensating them fairly and treating them with utmost admiration.

I commend the work they do for the community. It’s been an honor working with them and I look forward to continuing that relationship.

Scott L. Ehrisman

Sioux Falls Artists for Public Responsibility

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