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Rural Voices
Boosting the Rural Creative Economy Congressional Arts Caucus Chair weighs in on what works in her home state – and beyond. By Representative Chellie Pingree
The arts can be transformative for rural communities. Coming from Maine – both the most rural state in the country and home to some of the country’s preeminent artists and arts organizations – I see the power of the creative economy every day. Rural America has long faced challenges, many of which we’ve seen exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As rural communities look to recover and rebuild, I believe there are powerful opportunities provided by investment in the arts. It’s a common misconception that arts and culture are just for big cities – but with the right support, a vibrant creative economy can take root anywhere. Whether it’s because of a loss of manufacturing jobs or volatile agricultural markets, so many rural areas could use the economic jumpstart. The arts stimulate tourism with performance venues, museums, and festivals, allow for a more well-rounded education for our kids, and strengthen quality of life to attract young people looking to put down roots. Rockland, the mainland hub to the island community I call home, is a great example. Once a fish processing and manufacturing community, it has become an arts hub thanks to strategic planning, thoughtful investment, and a little luck. Anchored by a thriving collective of working artists and craftspeople, Rockland is now home to two world-class art museums and several commercial galleries, resulting in a transformed downtown. People come to Rockland just to do the arts walk and they spend more time and money in the
