Betsy Brandvik

Betsy Brandvik landed in Dickinson, North Dakota after growing up in Oregon and spending her college years in the Twin Cities. Her involvement in the Southwestern Art Gallery & Science Center stems from her love of the arts and her commitment to her community. Betsy’s background as an educator, a performer, and a business owner lends neatly to the goals of this nonprofit and she is honored to be part of this groundbreaking group of passionate community leaders.

For the past decade, Betsy worked in education in the Dickinson area. She has been instrumental in developing curriculum, processes, and procedures used by multiple educators today. She was a member of the team that helped research, develop, and design the new Dickinson Middle School, and served as Chair of the Leadership Committee for many years. Her passion for high-quality educational experiences and environments is evident in both her interaction with students and her commitment to growth in Dickinson Public Schools. 

Betsy has been an avid supporter of the arts for most of her life, both in performance and production. Her favorite roles include Adelaide in Dickinson State University’s production of Guys and Dolls, and The Witch in Hamline University’s Into the Woods. She has supported community theatre in the Dickinson community as a director of local children’s shows (Charlotte’s Web and The Wizard of Oz), a performer with Cat Wrangler’s Productions, and Badlands Opera Project, and served as the middle school drama instructor for many years. 

In 2020, Betsy and her husband started Backyard Play Cafe, an indoor playground with a coffee shop. This business was in direct response to a need in the community - a place for young children to safely play no matter the unpredictable North Dakota weather; a place for families and friends to gather for celebrations; and a place where investments in early childhood programming and imaginative play could thrive and flourish. After nearly three years in business, Backyard Play Cafe established a name for itself in the local community as a place of quality and value for “cool kids and the adults who love them.” 

Finally, as a parent, Betsy believes that there is no greater importance than investing in opportunities in one’s own community. Exposure to arts and sciences is crucial for the well-rounded, healthy development of curious, creative children, and is essential to maintaining the quality of life and good mental health for curious, creative adults.