Better Neighbors - Better Citizens - Better Allies
Amplify Our Agency
The Rural Reveal was a year-long, artist-led effort to help deepen the understanding of what local residents are doing on a daily basis to advance equity and anti-racism work in their communities, and to learn what is needed to sustain the emotionally taxing work of being from, working within, and living the change you wish to see in your community. We seek to recognize and celebrate the deep community work that often goes unseen; to bring an authentic voice to what it feels like to do changemaking work where you live; to advance a Culture of Empathy in order to cultivate the exchange of stories, listen more deeply, seek more nuance, complexify the narrative, and break down assumptions in order to connect across perceived distances.
The Changemakers
When it comes to changemakers, there are rebels and radicals, yielding big voices filled with big passion. There are also commonplace movers and shakers, listening deeply and planting seeds for transformation. They work within and against cultural inertia. And while they may not all make appearances as “community leaders", they do consistently challenge us, inspire others, and build greater collective awareness for what is good and necessary to be better - better neighbors, better citizens, better people. Hear their Stories.
Creative Brief
The contents in this Creative Brief come from a combination of interviews, story circles, and deep conversations with over 40 residents engaged in equity work across a five county area in North Central Minnesota. It captures the motivations, ambitions and lessons learned along the way. These conversations were witnessed and observed by artists, who used their creative practice to translate the stories shared into creative responses.
The Infrastructure of Hope
We gathered to center voices in the region who are committed to advancing access and equity in infrastructure and systems that lead to greater equity in economic development. This poetry was inspired from the attendees and created by poet Cassie Williams.
Silo
We sat down with farmers, food shelf directors, and local food advocates to talk about equity and access in food and agriculture. We were joined by musician / poet, Brian Laidlaw, who as an active artist observer synthesized what he heard into song.
Health Equity
With generosity and vulnerability, we shared space with a powerful group of nurses, social workers, advocates and counselors who are advancing health equity in their communities. Heidi Jeub, local artist and teacher, joined us and reflected back what she heard in these illustrations.
Project Partners
A Welcoming Communities Initiative in partnership with the Department of Public Transformation, Voices for Rural Resilience, Region 5 Development Commission; with support from The McKnight Foundation.
