The Department of Public Transformation (DoPT) believes in working with artists, cultural workers, and connectors to strengthen rural places by supporting the role of community assets—social, cultural, and built—as a lens to help communities investigate and celebrate their collective story: past, present, and future. Activate Rural supports third places, creative space use, and building activation projects—art galleries and cultural centers, creative coffee shops and taprooms, theaters, artist studios, performance and event venues, multi-use creative places, and more—that inspire, motivate, and open up possibilities for rural communities.

The Activate Rural Public Workshop and Event Series offers free in-person and virtual workshops.

The Activate Rural Learning Lab is a curated cohort experience for communities to cultivate places of connection and creativity.

Activate Rural Atlas — a new collection of stories, tools, and resources designed to guide and inspire those creating vibrant community spaces in rural towns.