Five Rural Minnesota Communities Selected for the 2026–2027 Engage Rural Civic Arts Cohort
Department of Public Transformation (DoPT) is pleased to announce the 2026–2027 Engage Rural Civic Arts Cohort. Five teams of civic leaders, artists/cultural workers, and activators working in rural communities of under 20,000 people in Minnesota and the Native nations that share that geography have been selected to participate in a twelve-month curated cohort experience. Each team will develop creative strategies for civic engagement and receive $12,000 in project funding to support implementation of those strategies in their communities.
This Engage Rural Civic Arts Cohort will leverage arts-based strategies to address loneliness and isolation, center land repatriation within economic development, create more representative and accessible pathways for civic engagement, navigate infrastructure projects affecting downtown businesses and residents, and cultivate belonging and youth leadership.
“Each of the five teams features strong cross-sector partnerships and thoughtful approaches to civic engagement,” said Vivian M. Cook, Engage Rural Program Coordinator.
Engage Rural was piloted in 2022 through the Rural Civic Arts Learning Lab, a partnership between DoPT and the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council. In 2026, DoPT’s revamped Engage Rural program was launched, offering services through the Civic Arts Cohort, as well as the Discover, Connect, and Design tracks that benefit participants at various stages in their arts-based civic engagement journey.
The Engage Rural Civic Arts Cohort provides cohort teams with project funding and ongoing curated technical assistance through monthly check-ins, workshops and gatherings, and allocated staff time to support the development of local arts-based civic engagement initiatives. The Engage Rural program is generously supported by the Blandin Foundation.
“Engage Rural is people-focused work,” said Mary Magnuson, Rural Placemaking Program Officer at Blandin Foundation. “It's about teaching people skills in how to work together to create the community they want and improve their quality of life. The process can be just as impactful as the art and amenities it results in, because it builds connections between people, and between people and place.”
The following five Minnesota community teams were selected for the 2026–2027 Engage Rural Civic Arts Cohort:
DoPT invites you to get to know the 2026–2027 Civic Arts Cohort below:
Braham (pop. 1,813) Braham’s Core Team includes faith and community engagement leader, Dr. Suzanne Begin; local business owner and founder of the Braham Chamber of Commerce, Mary Lodin; soon-to-be Braham City Council member, Keith Lusk; and artist and children’s book illustrator, Dacia Sjolund. Much of the Core Team has been involved in the Thriving Community-Braham Collaborative.
Carlton and Fond du Lac Reservation (pop. 948 and 4,184) Carlton and Fond du Lac Reservation’s Core Team includes enrolled Fond du Lac Band member and Broken Lands podcast team member, Colleen Bernu; multidisciplinary artist and Chair of the DFL Native People’s Caucus, Nora Louisa Ekstine; healthcare leader and vocal artist, Tegan Johnson; multidisciplinary artist and organizer and Director of the Carlton County Historical Society, Thomlin Swan; business owner and Executive Director for the Oldenburg Arts and Cultural Community, Emily Fuerste Swanson; and Anishinaabe mother, great-grandmother, Water Protector, and enrolled member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Deb Topping (Nookomis).
Fairfax (pop. 1,200) Fairfax’s Core Team includes business owner, Fairfax Civic & Commerce Association board officer, and multidisciplinary artist, Tina Castillo; founding board member of TriCommunity Arts, musical director, and piano teacher, Maria Cuff; Fairfax and Renville County HRA/EDA, Fairfax Civic & Commerce and TriCommunity Arts board member, Sheila Prax; and TriCommunity Arts board member, theatre artistic director, and actor, Joe Vos.
Lanesboro (pop. 720) Lanesboro’s Core Team includes Executive Director of the Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce, Joe Goetzke; business owner and leader of the Lanesboro’s Downtown Business Promotions Group, Alison Leathers; Executive Director of Lanesboro Arts, Kara Maloney; Mayor of Lanesboro, Alicia Rae Pearson; and Program Director of Lanesboro Arts, Leah Steding. Lanesboro’s Core Team members also serve on a wide variety of city boards and commissions, including the Lanesboro Entrepreneurial Action Network (L.E.A.N.).
Pelican Rapids (pop. 2,600) Pelican Rapids’ Core Team includes Pelican Rapids School Board Member, lead advisor for The Youths_PR, and Director of School and Youth Engagement at Lakes Country Service Cooperative, Staci Allmaras; mixed media visual artist, educator, and community organizer, Dr. Kandace Creel Falcón; Project Manager of The Bridge Center, Celeste Koppe; music composer and Facilities Chair of The Bridge Center, Dan Kramer; PRHS graduate, Jackie Mejia; and youth artist, entrepreneur, and Pelican Rapids high student, Willa Munick. All of the Pelican Rapids’ Core Team members collaborate through efforts with The Bridge Center, which was recently formed in response to a student-led request for a youth center.
About Department of Public Transformation (DoPT): Department of Public Transformation is a nonprofit organization that develops creative strategies for increased community connection, civic engagement, and equitable participation in rural places. More information at www.publictransformation.org.
About Engage Rural: DoPT’s Engage Rural program provides resources, guidance, and connection for rural community artists and leaders as they develop creative strategies for civic engagement. Such strategies can break down barriers to civic participation and strengthen local leadership. More information at www.publictransformation.org/engage-rural
