Building Creative Communities: Practical Strategies for Rural Arts

Community leaders, artists, and culture workers in the Virginia Commission for the Arts’ (VCA) Region 8: 

Join Ash Hanson and Vivian M. Cook from the Department of Public Transformation (DoPT) and Geoffrey Kershner with Small Town Big Arts to explore concrete strategies for starting and sustaining community-engaged arts initiatives in rural communities and small towns. They will share stories, examples, and resources from Engage Rural, Activate Rural, and The YES! House—three DoPT programs that center art and artists as catalysts for community connection and civic life. 

In this workshop, you will: 

 

• Receive resources and guidance for developing (and funding!) arts-based strategies that build trust, strengthen civic engagement, and expand access to locally-led decision-making

• Hear examples of how creative entrepreneurs, artists, organizations, and small businesses are activating third places and building projects that spark possibility

• Gain access to tools for affirming arts as essential infrastructure and models for arts-led development, collaborative leadership, and intergenerational connection. 

• Discuss local assets, challenges, and opportunities for arts-based civic engagement

 

 

You will leave the workshop with an action plan for applying some of the strategies from the workshop to benefit your own communities in Southside. In April and May, DoPT will offer two follow-up virtual workshops to support participants as they take next steps in their action plans. 
 

Tuesday, March 24th from 10am-2pm*

Location: Colonial Theater, South Hill, VA

*Lunch Provided SIGN UP HERE