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Economic and environmental conditions are forcing rural regions to reinvent themselves. Local arts agencies (LAAs) are taking a leadership role in their communities by using the arts to strengthen economies, increase community pride, and develop innovative partnerships during this critical time of transition. Communities of all sizes have something to learn from the innovations taking place in rural communities across America and the transformations being led by LAAs.
This issue of monographs looks at a few such initiatives sparked by changing identities, economies, geographies, commodities and populations. In Appalachia, jobs are scarce in the region's deteriorating coal industry. Appalshop, a regional arts and education center, is using the arts to help solve complex problems resulting from post-industrialization and to renew civic pride. Facing crippling financial reductions, the New York State Council on the Arts and the Alliance of New York State Arts Councils are using the arts to build creative partnerships and computer network innovations among rural arts organizations to keep the state's rural arts communities thriving. The Oregon Coast Council for the Arts is using the arts to help residents regain their heritage and traditions as their fishing and timber-based economy becomes overshadowed by their tourism industry.
This Monographs will describe how five communities are using the arts to address issues such as economic development, environmental impact, youth-at-risk, and cultural tourism. A list of these communities and their local and state arts agency contacts appears at the end of the publication so that you can find out more about each initiative. A helpful technology chapter describes how some communities have built computer linkages that present new opportunities for communication and resource development among cultural and civic agencies in rural communities. (p. 1)
CONTENTS
Appalshop, Whitesburg, Ky.
The Roadside Theatre Company.
The Appalachian Media Institute (AMI).
Alliance of New York State Councils and the New York State Council on the Arts.
Alliance of Ohio Community Arts Agencies and the Ohio Arts Council.
Oregon Coast Council for the Arts, Newport, Oregon.
Washington State Arts Commission and Network for Local Arts in Washington State.
The Rural Information Infrastructure - Building bridges to small and rural communities.
Online resources for rural communities.
Other resources for rural communities.
Participating communities. |