As part of the evolving support offered through Department of Public Transformation’s Ignite Rural network, the introduction of DIY Artist Residencies at The YES! House creates new space for alumni artists to reconnect with their practice on their own terms.
Read MoreActivate Rural team road tripped through mountain passes and small towns between Missoula, Helena, and Butte, connecting with leaders and artists, and visiting local creative places.
Read More“Let the Light In” highlights how openness and vulnerability invite clarity, connection, and transformation. Even in difficult moments, choosing to let light in can spark renewal and meaningful change.
Read MoreIn this first episode of the 2026 Beyond the Clock (BTC) season, Anna and Ash are joined by Nikiko Masumoto, this year’s BTC Resident Artist, farmer, and memory keeper who invites us to explore memory as a living practice. In this episode, we reflect on the quiet rituals (personal and public) that carry culture forward and how, across rural communities, artists and cultural workers are tending something essential: memory and imagination.
Read MoreIgnite Rural: Where Are They Now? is a storytelling series featuring alumni of the Ignite Rural Artist Residency, capturing a snapshot in time of what they’ve been up to since completing their residency. Leticia’s interview was conducted in Autumn 2025.
Read MoreIgnite Rural: Where Are They Now? is a storytelling series featuring alumni of the Ignite Rural Artist Residency, capturing a snapshot in time of what they’ve been up to since completing their residency. Andrea’s interview was conducted in Autumn 2025.
Read MoreDoPT hosted in-person and virtual end-of-year holiday parties for our friends in urban and rural Minnesota, and further afield!
Read MoreBeyond the Clock Resident Artist Eliza Blue reflects on November 2025’s Beyond the Clock with Kyle Mesteth.
Read MoreDoPT's CEO, Ash Hanson, was honored to be one of the invited guests brought together by the Academy's Local Democracy Working Group.
Read MoreBeyond the Clock Resident Artist Eliza Blue reflects on September 2025’s Beyond the Clock with Viktor le. Givens
Read MoreIn October 2025, Ignite Rural Program Director Holly Doll and Creative Executive Officer Ash Hanson presented at the 2025 Grantmakers in the Arts Conference in Minneapolis, MN.
Read MoreActivate Rural’s first virtual Summit brought together creative third place leaders, organizers, artists, business owners from across the state of Minnesota and the country over three days of insight, inspiration and connection.
Read MoreAsh co-presented a session called Rural Ritual with our friends Taneum Fotheringill from Rural Assembly and writer/artist Mai’a Williams, and one called Cultivating Civic Participation along with our friends from CivicLex and New Hampshire Listens!
Read MoreHosted in partnership with Rural Assembly Everywhere, Pie, Place, and Possibility brought together neighbors, artists, land stewards, organizers, storytellers, and dreamers for a full day of conversation, reflection, and, of course, pie.
Read MoreIn September, DoPT staff Sarina and Benjamin traveled to Spring Grove, MN (pop. 1,202) to facilitate an in-person Activate Rural Workshop. It was an inspiring full day with artists, community leaders, and business owners from 14 Southeast Minnesota communities connecting and exchanging ideas, resources, and stories.
Read MoreIn this reflection, Ignite Rural Program Director, Holly Doll, Anpao Win (First Light Woman), shares what she’s learned guiding three cohorts of rural artists through an eight-month residency.
Read MoreIn May, the 2023–2025 cohort celebrated two years of transforming, learning, and connecting. Reflecting on the activation routes each team navigated reveals lessons and alternative paths for individuals and organizations looking to activate their own creative places. Read on to explore the full blog post!
Read MoreMellon Foundation Awards $1.5 Million Grant to Department of Public Transformation to Support Creative Rural Places
Read MoreBeyond the Clock Resident Artist Eliza Blue reflects on June 2025’s Beyond the Clock with Siricasso.
Read MoreBeyond the Clock Resident Artist Eliza Blue reflects on April 2025’s Beyond the Clock with Lacy Hale.
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