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Democracy, Arts, and Storytelling at Rural Assembly Everywhere [1]

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Date: 2024-07-22

What are the best ways to nurture rural communities? How do perceptions of rural places affect the people who live there? What are the best ways to tell rural stories?

The Rural Assembly will explore these questions and more at Rural Assembly Everywhere on Thursday, August 1, from 1-3 p.m. EST. The virtual gathering will bring together a diverse range of panelists and participants from across the country — all focused on uplifting and understanding rural America.

Registration is now open to all: rural advocates, community leaders, journalists, artists and “everyone, everywhere,” according to the event organizers. Previous online gatherings of the Rural Assembly brought together hundreds of rural leaders, residents and advocates since its first gathering in 2020.

The Rural Assembly is part of the nonprofit Center for Rural Strategies, which also publishes the Daily Yonder.

The program kicks off with a discussion about what it takes to nurture thriving rural communities, hosted by Lead for America Co-founder Benya Kraus and Wahpetunwan Dakota artist, writer, and midwife Autumn Cavender.

That’s followed by a Democracy Panel, led by Center for Rural Strategies President Dee Davis and political scientists and authors Kathy Cramer and Hahrie Han. They’ll focus on the state of American democracy, the press, economics, and rural perceptions ahead of the November election.

“We’re thrilled to continue offering our annual event, Rural Assembly Everywhere, virtually so that we can join together live with our rural friends and neighbors from all around the country,” said Taneum Fotheringill, Rural Assembly’s director of programs and partnerships. “Over the past several years, Everywhere has been a platform to celebrate important work and imagine what’s possible in our communities.”

The program wraps up with a panel of four arts administrators who will discuss agency in storytelling and community voice. They are:

Francisco Guajardo , chief executive officer of the Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg, Texas.

, chief executive officer of the Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg, Texas. Madeline Matson , executive director of the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum in Ilwaco, Washington.

, executive director of the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum in Ilwaco, Washington. Gwendolyn Trice , founder and executive director of the Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center (MHIC), a museum located in Joseph, Oregon.

, founder and executive director of the Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center (MHIC), a museum located in Joseph, Oregon. And Stephen Gong, executive director of the Center for Asian American Media.

“I look forward to Everywhere because from our evaluation we know that it generates a greater sense of possibility about what communities can do and that people feel a greater sense of belonging and connection both inside and outside of where they live,” Fotheringill said. “These are the antidotes we need in a time when we can so often feel discouraged and isolated.”

Since its inception in 2007, the Rural Assembly has brought together voices from across the country, including government officials, grassroots organizers, funders, and nonprofit and business leaders. It aims to amplify and empower rural people by sharing stories and challenging stereotypes.

This year, participants can also register for post-Everywhere workshops that will bring together the Rural Assembly and its partners and friends.

Rural Urban Divide Training, August 6 from 2-3 p.m. EST: Hosted by the Rural Urban Bridge Initiative, this training focuses on the origins of the urban-rural divide, and teaches participants how to navigate and lessen the divide; where to find mutual understanding and common ground; and how to build solidarity across cultural and geographical backgrounds. Register

Hosted by the Rural Urban Bridge Initiative, this training focuses on the origins of the urban-rural divide, and teaches participants how to navigate and lessen the divide; where to find mutual understanding and common ground; and how to build solidarity across cultural and geographical backgrounds. Beyond the Clock Virtual Happy Hour, August 7 from 2-3 p.m. EST: Bring a beverage and dive deeper into the stories and lessons from Everywhere at this special edition of Beyond the Clock, co-hosted by the Department of Public Transformation and Voices for Rural Resilience. Register

Bring a beverage and dive deeper into the stories and lessons from Everywhere at this special edition of Beyond the Clock, co-hosted by the Department of Public Transformation and Voices for Rural Resilience. Story Circle on Nurturing Thriving Communities, August 8 from 2-4 p.m. EST: Join facilitator Ben Fink and your neighbors from around the country to share a story from your community and hear from others about what it takes to nurture our communities and why we should. This event has limited space, so register early before the circle fills up. Register

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