Stories

Articles and narratives spotlighting individuals and organizations forwarding rural arts.
December 17, 2025
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Art of the Rural is the Art of the Story: 15 Years of Place-Based Storytelling

Experience our Programs Associate Hannah Almon Matangos' American Folklore Society presentation, reflecting on the role of storytelling in our work.

A storycircle at Third Weekend, RUX’s annual network gathering, at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, September 2025. Photo by Hannah Almon Matangos.
November 2, 2025
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Weaving a Culture of Connection at The Golden Thread

Hear from Art of the Rural Exchange Director & KY RUX Co-Founder Savannah Barrett on the importance of community interdependence across the rural-urban divide.

Prestonburg-based singer-songwriter Nicholas Jamerson and Aaron Smith perform original music. Photo by Hannah Almon Matangos.
October 16, 2025
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Sharing Native Creativity: Meet Joe Williams

Joe Williams is the host of the 5 Plain Questions podcast and Media & Editorial Collaborator at Art of the Rural.

June 25, 2025
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Stitching together trans joy across geographies with the Euphoria Quilt

Since 2023, the Euphoria Quilt has grown into a 165-block quilt representing over 40 states and 5 countries, stitched together through a cross-country series of quilting bees.

The Euphoria Quilt top. Photo by Nicholas Valdés.
June 12, 2025
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Cowpunk, community, & queerness at Burning Ma’aM music festival

This annual, artist-organized nonprofit music festival in rural Central Pennsylvania blends genres, generations, and geographies.

Ma’aM takes the stage at Burning Ma’aM 2025. Photo by Hannah Almon Matangos.
March 12, 2025
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Art of the Rural Broadsheet: Stories now on Substack

Find stories, resources, and more from across the field of rural arts & culture now on Substack.

Overlooking the Winona Spillway. Photo Credit: Mai'a Williams.
February 13, 2024
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Welcome to the new Art of the Rural website

Our new brand and website reflects our growth and impact, forging an exciting path forward.

The 2022 Minnesota Rural-Urban Exchange gathers in Mahnomen County and White Earth Nation.
August 5, 2023
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The Rural-Urban Solidarity Project

A Kentucky-wide film series documenting widespread racial justice actions of rural Kentuckians.