Rapid City, SD
Founded in 2015, Racing Magpie is a Native-led arts and culture organization grounded in Lakota values. It supports its dynamic community through a Native art gallery, affordable studios, and artist-centered public programs. Racing Magpie operates as a gathering place for creative expression, cultural continuity, and community-led learning.
A 2024 FCI Catalyst Grant enabled Racing Magpie to install fourteen solar panels and inverters on top of the building to lessen dependence on the power grid and increase use of renewable energy. The new system will accommodate Racing Magpie’s energy usage with up to 33 percent overproduction of energy for future growth.
Racing Magpie acquired a sixty-year-old building to be used as its second facility. A phased renovation will more than double Racing Magpie’s operational footprint to 8,900 square feet. A 2025 FCI Catalyst Grant supported replacement of an aging, single-pane storefront with a new double-pane glass system featuring thermally broken frames. This project aims to improve insulation, reduce energy demand, and enhance year-round comfort in alignment with the organization's commitment to place-based design.
A 2026 FCI Implementation Grant will support full HVAC replacement, window upgrades, and LED lighting transition during the renovation of the newly acquired building. The project is expected to reduce annual GHG emissions by approximately 60 percent within one year of completion.