Workshop for artists and entrepreneurs developing creative gathering places

Join the Department of Public Transformation (DoPT) at their Northeast Activate Rural Public Workshop on Tuesday, October 8, 9AM - 3PM in Buhl, MN. This one-day workshop will provide connections for artists, creative entrepreneurs, small business owners, activators and leaders developing creative physical places of connection for their communities. Participants will take away community engagement strategies, funding resource ideas, and structures for stewardship and operations for rural creative gathering places.

DoPT has been working with the City of Buhl’s Youth Center team for over a year as a part of the Activate Rural Learning Lab. “We have been getting to know the community of Buhl and the surrounding region over the past year as we provided artist-led engagement funds and continue to support the Buhl Youth Center project. It’s been a joy witnessing the transformation and amazing work the Buhl team has accomplished with their monthly events and planning around finding a permanent location,” said Sarina Otaibi, DoPT Activate Rural Program Director, “we look forward to hosting our upcoming workshop in their community and to highlight their work.”

This workshop is a part of the Activate Rural Public Workshop Series, workshops and sessions designed to offer support, peer learning, and resources to creative entrepreneurs, artists, organizations and small business owners with creative physical places of connection based in rural Minnesota communities and the Native nations that share this geography, with a population of 20,000 or less. This program is supported, in part, by the State of Minnesota through a grant from The Office of Small Business Development, Department of Employment and Economic Development.

There are travel stipends for mileage reimbursement available for participants traveling within the northeast region of the state and are on a first come, first serve basis. This workshop is free for participants, but registration is required. Food and beverages will be provided including lunch. For workshop and registration questions, please contact Benjamin Domask-Ruh, Activate Rural Program Coordinator, at benjamin@publictransformation.org. To register and learn more about the workshop, visit: dopt.rsvp/Buhl2024AR

About Activate Rural: The Department of Public Transformation (DoPT) believes in working with artists, cultural workers, and connectors to strengthen rural places by supporting the role of community assets—social, cultural, and built—as a lens to help communities investigate and celebrate their collective story: past, present, and future. From creative taprooms and gathering places to multi-use community hubs and knowledge centers, Activate Rural supports creative building activation projects that inspire, motivate, and open up possibilities for rural communities across Minnesota. We do this work through a Cohort Learning Lab and Public Workshop Series. To learn more about Activate Rural, visit https://www.publictransformation.org/activate-rural

About Department of Public Transformation (DoPT): The Department of Public Transformation is an artist-led nonprofit organization that works to develop creative strategies for increased community connection, civic engagement, and equitable participation in rural places. More information at www.publictransformation.org.