Challenge for the arts

Arts organizations in rural communities need to think and behave like entrepreneurs if they hope to succeed during an era when demographic changes are challenging the future of small towns, a panel of experts said Thursday.
More than 60 civic leaders and officials from arts organizations were on hand for Beauty in Small Places, a conference focusing on arts and small communities, at Arts Place in Portland this week.
The conference, funded in part by the Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, began Thursday and concluded this afternoon.
“I live in one of those communities that could disappear if we’re not careful,” said Maryo Gard Ewell of Gunniston, Colo.
Ewell, co-author of The Arts in the Small Community, urged artists to acquire business skills and suggested that arts organizations help create opportunities for artists to collaborate with other institutions.
“We need to think like a business, even if we’re a non-profit,” agreed Mike Major, a visual artist and developer from Urbana, Ohio. “I see a lot of arts organizations that are on the defensive. … We need to embrace (change) and expect it.”
Tim Glotzbach, director of Berea College Crafts in Berea, Ky., stressed the need for collaboration between arts organizations and other aspects of the community, citing a Bellingham, Wash., program which has linked welding classes with a team sculpture building competition.
“It’s robust learning outside the classroom,” said Glotzbach.
Arts Place executive director Eric Rogers said the challenge of “paddling upstream” for arts organizations has come about because of the continuing shift of population toward urban areas.
“We kept hearing there was going to be this reverse demographic trend,” sending people back toward small towns and rural life, said Rogers. “It hasn’t happened. … But the population trends don’t define us, and we can’t allow them to define us.”
Glotzbach said a first step is for communities to “find their own true voice” and be comfortable with who they are. “If you’re rural, don’t be afraid to be rural,” he said. “Embrace being rural.”
Those attending the conference took part in a number of breakout sessions at Arts Place and John Jay Center for Learning and were set to tour the new amphitheatre at Hudson Family Park today.
“This is a remarkable center,” Major said of Arts Place. “What you’re doing, you’re doing right here.”[[In-content Ad]]