Createquity.: Last May, nearly two hundred people paddled down the Minnesota River in large canoes, stopping throughout the three-hour ride to experience scenes depicting the bizarre true story of how Granite Falls (population 2,800) came to be the county seat of Yellow Medicine County in southwestern Minnesota. Audience members watched as local actors and musicians shared stories of Native Americans, French explorers, mussel diggers, and early politicians. Locals paddled next to tourists; kids splashed their oars in the water, and older folks went along for the ride.
2 comments:
For areas of America that don't have access to this countries best art museums and culture, I think acts like this make such a difference in creating a nation that is equally interested in art and culture. I was lucky enough to be born in Los Angeles, one of the cultural hubs of the world...but for those who are born in the outskirts of iowa of minnesota, it mud be hard to see and experience the great cultural centers of America. I think bringing art and somewhat "theatrical" experiences to rural parts of America is important and shows how our country is realizing that art is a fundamental part of being a democratic and intelligent country.
As someone from a rural community I found this article super interesting -- arts are a fantastic way to re-energize a small town, get the economy up, and get people excited about things, and bring new people in. We have many art festivals and arts events up where I'm from in Northern Vermont (the Northeast Kingdom). When my family moved up there from California, I was shocked at how many artists there were hidden away and how much art was happening in our small community. Arts are what keep our community together, while also bringing people in from all over the country. There are events happening all the time and I think it's incredibly exciting. It just helps to show that there can be a strong arts community anywhere -- in rural communities as well as in cities. You just need the support and this can happen with the right effort and people.
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