The Engage Rural Civic Arts Cohort is a year-long curated cohort experience for Core Teams based in rural Minnesota.
Core Teams are made up of 3-5 rural community artists/cultural workers, community activators, and civic leaders. Selected Core Teams will spend twelve months developing creative strategies for civic engagement in their communities, with resources and guidance from DoPT staff. Project funding will support the implementation of those strategies, and cohort members will participate in project check-ins, exchange visits, workshops, and gatherings with fellow cohort members, featured guests, and DoPT staff. Program offerings will be adapted for the unique cultural, economic, and social needs of each participating community. This program is application-based, and participation will be at no cost to selected cohort members.
For the 2026-2027 cohort, DoPT will select 5 Core Teams who are based in rural communities with a population under 20,000 residents in Minnesota and the Native nations that share that geography.
Applications CLOSED on June 17, 2026 at 11:59 pm CT.
COHORT EXPERIENCE
About Department of Public Transformation and Engage Rural
Department of Public Transformation (DoPT) believes that rural people and places have the answers they need to address challenges and opportunities. We champion art and artists as vital contributors to economic, community, civic, and social life, and we support rural communities in leveraging creative, cross-disciplinary, and asset-based approaches to build resilient rural futures.
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.