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Arts Midwest Blog

Erin Cahill | October 24, 2023

Uplifting and Celebrating the Diversity of Rural Communities (Arts Midwest, in partnership with Welcoming America, October 2023) spotlights how storytelling and arts-based approaches can strengthen belonging in rapidly diversifying rural towns. Immigrants accounted for nearly 40% of rural population growth between 2010 and 2016, and communities from Nebraska to North Dakota are using narrative-sharing, cultural events, and Welcoming Week campaigns to bridge divides and foster inclusion. By centering personal stories and creating safe spaces for dialogue, groups like Centro Hispano and Empowering Families are shifting narratives around immigration and building coalitions that connect residents, institutions, and local government. The piece underscores how place-based, arts-driven strategies are essential to rural resilience and prosperity—echoing the Aspen Institute’s CSG framework that emphasizes belonging, shared values, and systems-level collaboration as cornerstones of thriving communities.

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