Activate Rural Summit: A Virtual Gathering for Rural Creative Places
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Dates + Times:
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, 12PM - 2PM CST
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, 12PM - 2PM CST
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, 12PM - 2PM CST
Join Department of Public Transformation (DoPT) for the Activate Rural Summit on October 21, 22 and 23, 2025. The virtual gathering will share stories and learnings from artists and community leaders activating creative places in rural communities.
Day 1: Creative Community Engagement (Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, 12PM - 2PM CST)
Join us on the first day for the opening keynote, a panel discussion about creative community engagement and to celebrate the release of the Activate Rural Atlas.
Day 2: Impact of Creative Places (Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, 12PM - 2PM CST)
The second day will explore the impact of creative places on rural communities. Hear from guest speakers about how the activation of creative places is shaping curiosity, belonging, and openness.
Beyond the Clock Happy Hour with Activate Rural (Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, 3-4PM CST)
Join Beyond the Clock hosts, Ash Hanson and Anna Claussen, for an informal virtual gathering and happy hour to reflect on the Summit experience, network with other attendees, and share activation stories! Register for the Beyond the Clock Happy Hour here [link].
Day 3: The Road Ahead (Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, 12PM - 2PM CST)
On the last day, join us for the closing keynote and panel discussion that looks toward navigating the road ahead for rural creative places. We’ll also share details about the 2026–2028 Learning Lab opportunity and what’s next with Activate Rural.
Guest speakers will be announced as their participation is confirmed.
Registration is free, and required. For registration questions, please contact Benjamin Domask-Ruh, Activate Rural Program Coordinator, at benjamin@publictransformation.org.
This virtual summit 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.