By Vivian M. Cook, Engage and Amplify Rural Program Coordinator
In early September 2026, five teams of civic leaders, artists, and community activators from across Minnesota were selected to participate in the 2026 – 2027 Engage Rural Civic Arts Cohort, a twelve-month curated cohort experience.
Over the course of the year, each team will develop and implement creative strategies for civic engagement in their communities, with resources and guidance from DoPT staff.
In late September 2026, the cohort and DoPT staff gathered in Granite Falls at The YES! House for the official program launch.
The five teams (pictured below) travelled from Braham, Carlton and the Fond du Lac Reservation, Fairfax, Lanesboro, and Pelican Rapids. You can read more about each team and their community here!
Over a welcome dinner, the new cohort members and DoPT staff met one another and then shared stories of the people, places, and moments that have called us into community work.
The next day, we explored definitions and examples of rural civic arts, toured The YES! House, and kickstarted the cohort’s civic arts process.
Each team began to identify a local challenge or opportunity that they are drawn to explore, a conversation that their community needs to have.
They also identified assets — or strengths and resources — that already exist in their communities, brainstormed with other teams about how to connect those assets to the challenges/opportunities, and dreamed up possibilities for their communities’ futures.
Our two days in Granite Falls were full of stories, laughter, discovery, and connection (rounded out with a little dancing, a new DoPT card game, and a celebratory closing at Bluenose Gopher Public House)!
The cohort teams have returned to their communities across Minnesota to continue the conversation, and over the next year, will explore how artistic strategies can open up pathways for civic engagement.
We’re excited to see what emerges!
The Engage Rural Civic Arts Cohort is a year-long curated cohort experience for Core Teams based in rural Minnesota.
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.
This program is generously supported by the Blandin Foundation.
