Homestake Opera House selected for 2025 CORES Award for excellence in science communication
SDSTA has chosen the Homestake Opera House for the 2025 Communications and Outreach Experiences in Science (CORES) Award.
The South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) presents the CORES Award to an individual, group, business, or organization that demonstrates an ongoing commitment to STEM communication that makes scientific research understandable and accessible to the general public.
The Historic Homestake Opera House (HOH) has continually supported the mission of the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) to advance world-class science and inspire learning across generations. Most importantly, the HOH has been a longtime partner for SURF’s annual celebration of Neutrino Day, along with supporting outreach activities and events throughout the year. In many ways, the HOH is the heart of the town of Lead and a valued partner for SURF.
“We’re honored to recognize the Homestake Opera House for its dedication in providing entertainment and education opportunities for the City of Lead and the entire Northern Hills Community. They’ve helped us share SURF’s story over the years and have been an incredible partner,” said Mike Headley, SDSTA executive director and SURF laboratory director.
“SURF,” Todd Jones, Executive Director of HOH, stated, “has been an incredible partner, and their dedication to community and education is not only extraordinary, it’s an inspiring example of what it means to be a neighbor and an advocate. Whether through sponsorships, community programming such as Deep Talks and Neutrino Day, or through shared resources, HOH has been enriched and blessed through its relationship with SURF. We are deeply grateful for the CORES Award, but even more grateful to call SURF our community partner and friend. We are excited to continue building in the City of Lead and the greater Northern Hills alongside SURF, promoting STEM communication and helping to inspire not only the next generation of artists, but the next generation of scientists and leaders.”
The theater is promoting an ongoing capital campaign aimed at restoring the historic facility to its full grandeur after a fire gutted the interior more than 40 years ago.
The CORES Award was presented during SURF’s Deep Talks event at the Homestake Opera House on March 12, 2026.
Those interested in learning more about the Homestake Opera House or catching an upcoming catch a movie, local concert, or play can find upcoming events on the theater’s website.