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Idea for: Social/cultural opportunities
Make towns cheap enough for artists The cities claim too much credit as arts hubs because they're where most art is MARKETED, not necessarily created. Small towns you'll find consistently produce the talent that the cities are somehow credited for having and a great many creative people who can work relatively alone, artists, writers, composers live in small towns for both the affordability and the opportunity to concentrate on their work. Here are some ideas: Rural mortgage programs that recognize and adapt to homebuyers who don't have a traditional job with a steady paycheck; finding creative ways to leverage that person such as drawing their collaborators and proteges to the same community; offering old empty retail space as cheap artist gallery/studio rentals instead of pretending 1880's-style retailing will come back and thinking about publicizing it in arts publications to create artists colonies all seems very doable as well as historically demonstrable (unlike so many economic development schemes.) From Al Jones of Billings, MT on 05/12/05
Rating:  From d dgf of dg, MB on 10/19/05 Rating:  A recent article in the Minneapolis paper described making city buildings affordable for artists to rent in run down neighborhoods which then led to the revitalization of the neighborhood. Artists (like me) would love to have a reasonably priced place "in the country" to live (and hopefully buy so no one can raise the rent once they get settled in) so they can devote TIME to their work. Small town life=TIME to live. From Phyllis Jarvinen of Minneapolis, MN on 05/18/05 Rating:  The High Plains Reader, an alternative newspaper in Fargo, has suggested this idea, which they call the "New Bohemia". Basically it involves selected small towns in North Dakota re-inventing themselves as rural artistic villages. http://www.hpr1.com/archives/oct0903/editorial.htm I like this concept--but it involves some pretty radical changes for willing small towns. Not to say that's a bad thing, however. From Bryce Carson of Denver, CO on 05/15/05 Rating: I recently moved rural MN, and have accidentally found pockets of arts. Publicity, it seems, isn't enough. I would like to hear someone from New York Mills relate there experiences, I understand that town is unique. But, are the effects of these art communities felt beyond their local communities? Are they taken seriously? In our area Willmar, Spicer/New London, Milan, Barrett, Glenwood and Alenandria have active arts communities. I wonder if each see the others as competitors or resources. From Curtis Engstrom of Brooten, MN on 05/14/05 Rating: I like the idea of a low-cost mortgage program for artisans. In our area, old retail stores and an old school have been converted to craft and antique shops. Craftsmen do pottery, woodworking and candle making among other things and market both locally and regionally. Low cost housing, work spaces and retail outlets are essential to support the output of these local artisans. From Mary Sullivan of Franklin, MN on 05/13/05 Rating: There's places up here in Oakley going for $30K that would be perfect. Red Lake Falls has a thriving artist community. One of the largest collection of potters in the state. They even have a superb gallery! Other small communities have farmers renting out barn space all the time. I've converted my old chicken coop into a studio, too. And yes, there are part time jobs to help make ends meet. From Mike Mickelson of Grygla, MN on 05/13/05 Rating: So how does technology work within an art endeavor? Milan now has fiber connections into every home and business in the community. I want a piece of that economic pie! But what's my status amongst the community? Does anybody want History channel, MTV or SCI-FI with the telephone and internet all on one fiberline? YES! From John Tanquist of Milan, MN on 05/12/05 Rating: Yes!! Artists: move to Milan! Hear about us on MPR's Morning Edition on Tuesday, May 17. Our town of 320 has a folk art school, library, museum, newspaper, grade school and multi-talented artists who live and/or teach here. Cheap living?? I bought a three bedroom home on a big lot 11 years ago for $20,000. A house down the block in good shape is selling now for $32,000. Come visit our piece of the new rural reality--it may suit you fine. http://www.milanmn.com Welcome! From Carol Ford of Milan, MN on 05/12/05 Rating: From Carol Ford of Milan, MN on 05/12/05
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