Arts Based Community Development
Rural arts programs build on history and strong ties to community and how it works
Recently, I had the honor of working with the Nebraska Arts Council to review arts projects in communities across the state. It has been both rewarding and informative.
Arts based community development has been practiced for years, but it takes a different connotation in small rural communities. In urban areas, arts development is on display in museums, theaters, concerts, and art galleries. Exhibits are plentiful, and there is no limit to creativity and devotion to the arts.
Small rural communities have taken arts in another direction with a different focus. Rural community arts programs seem to build on a sense of place and history. Art focuses on integrating into the community and how it works.
The basic principle behind this cultural use of arts is the need for people to express themselves while trying to promote progressive social change. Without this expression in small rural communities, there would be no united sense of purpose. Citizens are able to participate and enhance the place where they live through a democratic and cooperative process.
Small rural communities look at the arts to preserve what they view as beautiful. The history of the arts in small rural communities details a sense of defying the industrial view of the world. In most rural farming areas the land is seen differently, and environmental beauty is an integral part of art. Theater, music, art, and other forms of expression often depict harmony with the land.
In an arts based community development program, the guiding principle is committed to a high quality of life for everyone. Once again, the arts are often in harmony with other aspects of the community’s social life. Social issues manifest themselves in the arts and history of the community.
Over the next few months, I will give examples of this rural community expression of arts and how arts based community development is flourishing.
Contact: Michael L. Holton, michaellh@cfra.org or 402.687.2103 x 1020 for details.
Recently, I had the honor of working with the Nebraska Arts Council to review arts projects in communities across the state. It has been both rewarding and informative.
Arts based community development has been practiced for years, but it takes a different connotation in small rural communities. In urban areas, arts development is on display in museums, theaters, concerts, and art galleries. Exhibits are plentiful, and there is no limit to creativity and devotion to the arts.
Small rural communities have taken arts in another direction with a different focus. Rural community arts programs seem to build on a sense of place and history. Art focuses on integrating into the community and how it works.
The basic principle behind this cultural use of arts is the need for people to express themselves while trying to promote progressive social change. Without this expression in small rural communities, there would be no united sense of purpose. Citizens are able to participate and enhance the place where they live through a democratic and cooperative process.
Small rural communities look at the arts to preserve what they view as beautiful. The history of the arts in small rural communities details a sense of defying the industrial view of the world. In most rural farming areas the land is seen differently, and environmental beauty is an integral part of art. Theater, music, art, and other forms of expression often depict harmony with the land.
In an arts based community development program, the guiding principle is committed to a high quality of life for everyone. Once again, the arts are often in harmony with other aspects of the community’s social life. Social issues manifest themselves in the arts and history of the community.
Over the next few months, I will give examples of this rural community expression of arts and how arts based community development is flourishing.
Contact: Michael L. Holton, michaellh@cfra.org or 402.687.2103 x 1020 for details.
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