WHAT IS THE RURAL ARTS AND CULTURE SUMMIT?
The Rural Arts and Culture Summit is a biennial, practitioner-driven gathering that celebrates and expands the field of rural arts-based community development by providing a space for learning, relationship building and celebration of the role of art and creativity in building strong, healthy and resilient rural communities.
Since its launch in Fergus Falls, Minnesota in 2011, and three gatherings in Morris, Minnesota hosted by the Center for Small Towns, the RAC Summit has convened more than 1,300 people from across the country, establishing a rich network of exchange among some of the most creative individuals who are driving their rural communities forward.
WHO IS IT ORGANIZED BY?
The Rural Arts and Culture Summit is organized by Springboard for the Arts. Recent partners have included the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, Reif Center for Performing Arts, the MacRostie Art Center, and Visit Grand Rapids.
WHEN AND WHERE WILL IT TAKE PLACE?
Dates for the 2021 Rural Arts and Culture Summit will be announced in September 2020.
HOW CAN I LEARN ABOUT PAST EVENTS?
You can read more about previous Rural Arts and Culture Summits in the following articles:
Grand Rapids gets a chance to show off at national arts conference (Jenna Ross, Star Tribune; November 1, 2019)
Rural Arts & Culture Summit Videos (Carl Atiya Swanson, Creative Exchange; June 9, 2017)
Rural Midwestern artists on the cultural divide: “We can save this world” (Jenna Ross, Star Tribune; June 16, 2017)
Minnesota farm country’s newest crop: the arts (Kristen Tillotson, Star Tribune; August 9, 2013)
A gathering and a weaving: A view from the Rural Arts and Culture Summit (Matthew Fluharty, NEA Artworks blog; June 12, 2013)
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
If you are interested in being a partner, sponsoring or otherwise would like to talk about how you can be involved, please email racsummit@springboardforthearts.org