LSS says future funding may be cut for the Multi-Cultural Center

Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Mon, December 22, 2025 at 11:51 PM UTC

2 min read

The Festival of Cultures hosts live music, dancing and educational opportunities every summer at Levitt at the Falls. With recent funding cuts to the Multi-Cultural Center, future festivals are at risk.

Lutheran Social Services announced on Dec. 22 that the City of Sioux Falls will no longer fund the Multi-Cultural Center, effective Dec. 31.

LSS has been operating the Multi-Cultural Center (MCC), since 2022, and the city has been funding the independent nonprofit, housed inside the Coliseum on Main Avenue, since its inception nearly 30 years ago. They paid $146,000 in 2025 to the MCC.

LSS CEO Rebecca Kiesow-Knudsen says the “sudden end of funding” creates “significant uncertainty” for MCC, a community gathering space that has supported all cultural backgrounds through youth programs, workforce development, interpreter services, parenting education, medical training and swimming lessons.

MCC also hosts the city’s well-known Festival of Cultures every year, a free summer event that brings together “every cross-section of the community,” Kiesow-Knudson says, to enjoy live music, dancing, traditional food, educational tents from cultures worldwide and kids’ activities.

Last summer, the 28th annual Festival of Cultures was held at Levitt at the Falls. CEO Nancy Halverson said earlier this year that the event brought in over 3,000 attendees for eight musical performances throughout the day, including headliner Espiral7, and a Parade of Flags for the day-long, family-friendly event.

Unless a donor comes forward to support the program in the long-term, Kiesow-Knudson says the Festival of Cultures is equally at risk.

More: Hundreds statewide experience two cultural traditions for Lakota Music Project.

“The Multi-Cultural Center strives to create a safe and accepting community where people of all cultural backgrounds are seen, heard and celebrated,” Kiesow-Knudson says. “Building a sense of belonging is more important than ever.

“Hard decisions are ahead,” she said.

The City of Sioux Falls officials could not be reached for immediate comment.

Check back for more on this developing story.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Funding cuts put Multi-Cultural Center, Festival of Cultures at risk

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