Department Of Public Transformation

Support strategy area is to support rural arts and cultural workers. Ignite rural supports rural artists and culture bearers to implement creative projects in their communities. The 2024 ignite rural artist cohort supported six artists and culture bearers based in rural communities with a population of 20,000 or less within the borders of minnesota, north dakota, south dakota, and the 23 native nations that share the same geography. Fiscal sponsorship supports small, start-up arts groups and projects working in or with rural communities that do not want (or are not ready) to become tax-exempt nonprofit organizations. Dopt managed 3,188 and 177,341 in fiscal sponsorship funds during 2023 and 2024, respectively.

Nurture strategy area is to nurture the rural arts and culture field. Beyond the clock is a series of virtual learning exchanges connecting and lifting up rural artists, culture workers, and connectors across the country. Dopt hosted 11 beyond the clock events throughout 2024, engaging over 175 attendees. Dopt engaged in mentorship, coaching, and keynote/breakout presentations across the united states. Dopt also facilitated and/or participated in various partnerships, cohorts, program design sessions, round tables, exchanges, coalitions, and communities of practice.

Connect strategy area is to connect rural municipalities, organizations, artists, and systems. Rural civic arts partnership is a dynamic program that empowers rural community leaders, community groups, nonprofit organizations, and local governments to collaborate on creative strategies for stronger community connections, increased civic engagement, and transformative systems change. During 2024, dopt was engaged by the southwest minnesota housing partnership to provide a consultation and a curated workshop series to adapt arts-led approaches for the sustainable/affordable housing sector. Additionally, dopt worked toward documenting, expanding, and updating the program with an eye toward sustainability and approachability. The program will be rebranded as engage rural in 2025 to better reflect its focus on active participation, creative engagement, and the evolving needs of rural communities.