Small Community Forum, 12-16-20, presented by Arts Wisconsin, UW-Madison/Extension Center for Economic and Community Development, USDA Rural Development Wisconsin, Wisconsin Downtown Action Council, Wisconsin Main Street Program, Wisconsin Rural Partners. Theme: community building and inclusivity.
- Forum recording here
- Presenters
- Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service, presented by Dr. Eric Giordano (presentation here)
- Community impact stories:
- Bridge the Divide, based in Cedarburg, WI, Executive Director Erica Turner, is a forum for discussion and action around racial reconciliation, identifying instances of inequality, foster empathy and educate others. Forum presentation here.
- Darlington Cinco de Mayo Festival, presented by Kalee Crist, Board member, Cinco De Mayo festival board and ESL teacher with the Darlington School District, Darlington Cinco de Mayo: Uniting cultures with food, fun, Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, 5-5-13
Conferences and meetings:
- Wisconsin Rural Economic Summit, Monday, January 25, 1-5 pm. A virtual summit on the Wisconsin rural economy: Using the latest research and data specific to Wisconsin’s rural communities and regions, we will discuss the Wisconsin rural economy with a focus on innovative strategies that foster economic opportunities and well-being. The summit will provide an overview of historical and current trends in the Wisconsin rural economy, look to lessons learned from rural communities, and focus on proactive strategies that Wisconsin’s smaller and rural communities can implement. Register here.
Readings and resources:
- Statewide service organizations
- Office of Rural Prosperity Blue Ribbon Commission report: The Governor’s Blue-Ribbon Commission on Rural Prosperity has released “Rural Voices for Prosperity: A Report of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Rural Prosperity,” which calls for coordinated measures across state government to meet the needs of Wisconsin’s rural communities. The report features 10 overarching recommendations that, taken together, would commit state government to a comprehensive approach to rural prosperity, create new partnerships with rural and tribal communities in the designing and delivering of state services, and invest more thoughtfully to address rural Wisconsin’s critical challenges and most promising opportunities.
- After generations of disinvestment, rural America might be the most innovative place in the U.S., from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, 12-14-20
- Problem Solving through Arts and Cultural Strategies: Creative Placemaking Guidance for Local Governments, from ArtPlace America and other partners
Updated 1-14-21. We’ll add more news and resources here as we find them.
Contact Anne Katz at Arts Wisconsin, info@artswisconsin.org, with questions, comments, and ideas.