Building Capacity for the Arts in Small Town America

Conversations and resources to support successful delivery of the arts in small cities, towns, and rural communities.

It can be difficult to find resources for arts organizations and artists serving smaller communities. Small Town/Big Arts sets out to drive conversations and provide resources for those serving smaller communities through arts and culture.


Outdoor theater performance performed by the Endstation Theatre Company in the Appalachian Mountains.

Join the Conversation

An online forum where smaller community arts leaders ask questions, share ideas, find colleagues, and collaborate.

Making your community a home for artists who can improve the quality of life through public art, economic impact, and stronger tourism.

Small Town Big Arts Podcast

This monthly podcast interviews arts leaders and artists serving communities with less than 100,000 residents.

Bring your small community to life with live performance.

Small Town Big Arts Blog

A series of posts that tackle the challenges of delivering the arts to small cities, towns, and in rural America. Taking on issues of limited resources, lackluster board engagement, complex politics, and difficulties with talent acquisition/retention, each blog makes an effort to provide ideas, inspiration, and hope for the mission of your organization or art form.

Geoffrey Kershner, Small Town Big Arts founder, on the Academy Center of the Arts histroic stage.

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