Arts and Culture is a large topic and I got a large dose of creativity, ideas and rural pride at last week's Rural Art and Culture Summit in Morris.  This conference is held every two years hosted by the Springboard for the Arts , Forum of Regional Arts Councils and Center for Small Towns with sponsors such as the Bush Foundation, the McKnight Foundation and others. This year's conference was sold out with a waiting list and included an even wider geographic area.  It brings together individual artists, arts organizations and small town representatives to discuss how to use the arts to develop the rural economy and create a better life for rural residents.   One specific example from an Iowa town that I'd love to see happen here is using an empty downtown building to host an artist residency.  The artist was allowed to use the building free, just paying the utilities.  This gave the artist an opportunity to sell his work and offered more visibility and a place for people to stop in and watch him work.  Another great panel discussion involved racial diversity in small rural areas, how the arts can overcome some of these problems and increase understanding among diverse groups.  All the main sessions are online at http://www.ruralartsandculturesummit.com.

Another topic that came up many times is how lucky we are to be in Minnesota where the Legacy amendment provides funding for the arts.  Our own Riverside Market and Muse and my trip to the Summit were both funded through the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council using Legacy dollars.  Minnesota is the top funded state in the country for the arts. 

I also had a great visit on Friday, June 9 with Erik Takeshita from the Bush Foundation who I met at the conference.  He wanted to visit small towns that are involved with the arts and get ideas for community projects and I'm helping to develop a proposal for funding a small project in Granite Falls. 
The creative ideas continued back in Granite Falls at the Sod House Theater workshops that happened Thursday through Saturday June 8- 10.  Public Transformation's  bus was again in Granite Falls with Ashley Hanson and Brian Laidlaw who are creating the music part of the play.  If you would like to participate in either the acting or music, spots are still available.  Contact the chamber office at 320-564-4039. 

It was great to host these professional actors and musicians in preparation for "An Enemy of the People" which will have performances on August 18, 19 and 20.   After visiting our town locations again, it was decided the play will have three acts, the first in Rice Park, the second near the Popcorn Stand and the third in the American Legion.  You can purchase advance tickets online at BrownPaperTickets.com  and they will be available by July 1 at the chamber office and Legion.  

Western Fest is almost here!  This year's Kiddie Carnival on Wednesday, June 21 at Rice Park will be bigger and better with more activities added for older children.  It will be open from 4:30 to 7:30 and all proceeds go to the Western Fest Royalty Committee. 

So plan a family night out with a meal at the Ambulance Squad's Burger and Brats stand, the Western Fest Kiddie Parade and a trip across the footbridge to the Kiddie Carnival.  Enjoy great deals all day during Cowboy Crazy Daze in Granite Falls shops.

I'd love to see more participation in the Kiddie Parade which takes place on June 21, 6 PM on Prentice St.  This year we're offering separate prizes for a float and individuals to encourage more kids to use their imagination and get in the parade!  Subject matter is open.  The winner in each category gets $100 in chamber bucks to spend anywhere in Granite Falls as long as the business is a chamber member.  There will be two runner up prizes of $25 in each category.  So let's see what wonderful ideas we can come up with for the parade!  To register, call the chamber office at 320-564-4039 so we can announce your entry correctly.