Join us for the Rural Arts and Culture Summit in 2017!

SMAC does not host the Rural Arts and Culture Summit, and you must register with the Summit, not just for our scholarship. However, we strongly encourage people in our region to attend, which is why we hope to support that attendance through our scholarships. You must register and pay for the Summit and arrange lodging-remember to keep your receipts and records-and SMAC will reimburse with our scholarships as far as we are able. Scholarships are on a first come, first serve basis. Please contact the SMAC office if you have questions or concerns!

SMAC scholarships require a simple online application submission.
Click here to get started!

More about the SMAC scholarships:

DEADLINE for SMAC scholarship submission: May 31 at 4:30 pm.

The Rural Arts and Culture Summit will be June 6-8 at the University of Minnesota in Morris. Organized by Springboard for the Arts and the Center for Small Towns, the Summit gathers rural artists, arts organizations and community leaders to highlight arts-based strategies to rural community and economic development. Visit the Summit website at www.ruralartsandculturesummit.com/ to learn more about presenters and sessions.

Early bird registration rates are available through April 19. A SMAC grant to attend the Summit is available, with a simple application form on the SMAC website. The SMAC grant will reimburse organizations or individuals for:

• The early bird registration fee (see below for prices and details)
• A $100/day stipend for participants who have to take time off work to attend
• Mileage at $.535/mile (carpooling is strongly encouraged to allow as many people as possible to participate)
• Up to $75 per night for lodging

Awards will be made on a first come, first served basis, so get your application in early. Funding is made possible by the voters of Minnesota thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

More information about the RAC Summit:

Early-Bird Rates (before April 19):

• $100 for both session days (June 7 & 8)
• $70 for one day only (June 7 or 8)

Regular Rates (after April 19)

• $150 for both session days (June 7 & 8)
• $90 for one day only (June 7 or 8)

Registration fees includes breakfast and lunch on the days that you are registered for.

There will be a special dinner featuring local foods on Wednesday, June 7th for an additional $15.

There will be a free welcome reception with heavy hors d’ouevres on Tuesday, June 6th from 6:30 – 9:30pm.

About this year’s RAC Summit:

The 2017 Rural Arts and Culture Summit will take place Tuesday, June 6, through Thursday, June 8, at the University of Minnesota, Morris. Organized by Springboard for the Arts and the Center for Small Towns, the Summit gathers rural artists, arts organizations and community leaders to highlight arts-based strategies to rural community and economic development.

The featured plenary session on Wednesday, June 7th, will bring together four cultural leaders who will discuss a variety of cultural equity issues in small towns, and how the arts can help create more inclusive communities:

• Anton Treuer, an Ojibwe scholar from Bemidji, Minnesota
• Michael Strand, a potter and activist from Fargo, North Dakota
• Meredith Martin Moats, a folklorist and founder of the McElroy House in Dardanelle, Arkansas
• Carlton Turner, executive director of Alternate Roots from Utica, Mississippi

On Thursday, June 8, keynote speaker Dr. Jessica Metcalfe from Turtle Mountain, North Dakota, will share the stories and strategies behind her business, Beyond Buckskin, which empowers Native American artists and designers, advancing the quality of Native American fashion through education while providing an in-depth platform for societal participation. Inspired by historical and contemporary Native American clothing design and art, Beyond Buckskin promotes cultural appreciation, social relationships, authenticity and creativity.

Other highlights of the Summit will include:

• “A Steady and Irresistible Wind,” a site-specific, place-based performance installation created by artist Bethany Lacktorin, which will take place during the Summit on and nearby the University of Minnesota, Morris campus. A follow up to Lacktorin’s performance, My Ocean (2016), this piece is an ongoing exploration of diaspora where displacement, transition and growth as it occurs culturally, agriculturally, mentally and socially are expressed in story, music, movement and sound.
• “Range,” an exhibit in UMM’s Morrison Gallery curated by Andrew Nordin. Artists are invited to submit work for consideration to exhibit until April 1. More information about the exhibit can be found at www.ruralartsandculturesummit.com/range
• Workshops, panel conversations and demonstrations presented by over 30 practitioners throughout the nation.

To see the schedule at a glance, visit: http://www.ruralartsandculturesummit.com/schedule/

Lodging in Morris: http://www.ruralartsandculturesummit.com/lodging-in-morris/

Location: http://www.ruralartsandculturesummit.com/location/