With the support of the National Endowment of the Arts, Arts Midwest has launched a new Ideas Hub mini-series called Rural Threads that celebrates innovation and creativity in rural communities across our region.
This new mini-series was created by and for rural communities, featuring guest speakers from around the region who are sharing stories and valuable resources to inspire ideas that bring communities together and make them stronger
Each audio episode is paired with an Ideas Hub resource to help listeners take the inspiration they heard and apply it into real-life opportunities in their own communities.
Uplifting and Celebrating the Diversity of Rural Communities
What steps can rural communities take to cultivate a sense of belonging, especially for immigrants? Explore tried and true community-based strategies that bring residents together to build connections, share stories, and uplift shared values.
Featuring Alivia Haibach, Valeria Rodriguez, and Liz Rodriguez
Cultivating a Creative Placemaking Mindset in Your Community
How can rural communities drive accessibility improvements by inviting community members with lived experience to the table? Discover a thoughtful approach to growing community momentum through personal invitations and artful collaboration.
Featuring Myrna Peterson, Teal VanLanen, Adam Peronto, and Nick Cochart
How to Transform Shared Challenges into Community Opportunities
How can art be used to connect people to the place where they live? Find inspiration for your rural community using a strategic model that prioritizes mindset, partnership, and story-telling.
Featuring Jennifer Drinkwater, Melissa Bond, Amber Danielson, and Gabriella Torres
Starting Where You Are to Build Equitable Rural Prosperity
What does it mean to work toward equitable rural prosperity? Dig into the building blocks at the local and systems levels that communities can use to take stock, target action, and measure progress toward rural prosperity for all people.
Featuring Chris Estes and Bonita Robertson-Hardy
About the National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency that is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. By advancing equitable opportunities for arts participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States. Visit arts.gov to learn more.