Join the Department of Public Transformation (DoPT) for a virtual Activate Rural Workshop on Wednesday, May 6, from 12–1:30 PM CT, featuring rural artists and activators who are building economic opportunities and community connections around their creative places.

Join us at The YES! House for a night of insight, strategy and connection! No matter what stage you are with your business or creative idea, this networking event is a low pressure environment for artists, creative entrepreneurs, small business owners, activators and nonprofit volunteers to hear from three business owners making it work in their rural towns.

This workshop dives into the practical realities of funding for day-to-day operations, programming, and building stewardship. Panelists will share insights on budgets, revenue mix, partnerships, grants, earned income, and the challenges of long-term sustainability. The panel will be moderated by Sarina Otaibi, Activate Rural Program Director at DoPT.

Applications are due February 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST

The virtual informational session will provide an overview of the 2026 – 2028 Activate Rural Learning Lab and the application process for building activation projects in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana.

Join us at Bluenose Gopher Public House in Granite Falls, MN for a night of insight, strategy, connection, live music, and fun!

Join the Department of Public Transformation (DoPT) at our Southeast Activate Rural Public Workshop in Spring Grove, MN (pop. 1,219). 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.

Hear from rural artists and activators share stories of how cultivating creative places of connection plant the seeds of a creative ecosystem for their communities.

Join the Department of Public Transformation (DoPT) at our Northwest Activate Rural Public Workshop in Mahnomen, MN (pop. 1,210). 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.

Join Department of Public Transformation (DoPT) for our next Activate Rural Workshop to hear two rural artists and activators share stories of cultivating creative places of connection for their communities.