Serving and Preserving

Organizations and groups working with and within rural communities from the outside face unique challenges. As outsiders they will be successful only if their intention is to serve and preserve what they find. Efforts to replace or import cultural activities may actually do harm if not purposefully planned to strengthen or extend local activities or organizations. Essays are in bold, others are vignettes on projects and organizations.

Rethinking Collaboration: Lessons From the Field by C. Kurt Dewhurst

Art Information Quest - Serving Artists and Community in Barry County

Kirtland Center for the Performing Arts - Regional Service in Northern Lower Michigan

Artes Unidas: A Latino Arts Forum

Gagetown's Octagon Barn by Rose Putnam

The Rural Arts Challenge: To Cultivate and to Preserve by Julie A. Avery

Mme. Cadillac Dancers  Humanities at the Lake Shore by Nancy Matthews

1913 Italian Hall Disaster: Festival Premieres New Opera in Calumet

Rethinking Michigan Indian History: A Curriculum to Aid Understanding

Partnership Teaches Traditional Skills at Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore

When Counting Counts: A Short Guide to Evaluation and Assessment by Barbara Carlisle

Lenawee County Opera and Symphony

Tibbits Opera House Restoration Strengthen's Branch County Center

4-H Clubs Document Traditional Barns - A Statewide Project

Cultural Tourism & Michigan's Working Farms

Town - VSA Arts of MI Serves Statewide