5 Practical Ways to Foster Creativity in Small Towns

Published on 21 July 2023 6 min read

Promote local art with public exhibitions
Create community workshops for creative skills
Encourage creative entrepreneurship
Organize cultural events and festivals
Establish library programs for creativity

Small towns are often rich with untapped potential, especially when it comes to creativity. In fact, these tight-knit communities can become thriving hotbeds of innovation and artistic expression with a little nurturing and the right strategies. This blog post outlines five practical ways to foster a culture of creativity in small towns, turning them into dynamic, vibrant and exciting places to live and work.

Promote Local Art with Public Exhibitions

One of the most effective ways to get creativity thriving in small towns is by promoting local art through public exhibitions. By showcasing the work of local artists, you not only offer them a platform to share their creations but also inspire others in the community to tap into their own creative potential.

Identify Local Artists

First things first—you need to identify the artists in your town. They may be painters, sculptors, photographers, or craftsmen. Whatever their medium, these are the people who will be the pillars of your local art scene. Encourage them to share their work and participate in local exhibitions.

Organize Regular Exhibitions

Regularly scheduled exhibitions can create a rhythm of creativity in your town. By having a consistent schedule—say, an exhibition every month—you can create anticipation and a regular audience for local art. These events can become a staple of your town's cultural calendar, fostering a sense of community and making creativity a part of everyday life.

Create Spaces for Exhibition

Of course, for an art exhibition, you need a venue. This could be a local park, a vacant storefront, or even a popular coffee shop. The key is to pick a location that's easily accessible and frequented by the public. This way, you can ensure maximum exposure for the artists and their work, helping to fuel a culture of creativity thriving in small towns.

Publicize the Exhibitions

Finally, you need to get the word out about these exhibitions. Use local newspapers, community bulletin boards, social media, and word-of-mouth to advertise. The more people who know about these events, the bigger the audience for local art and the stronger the culture of creativity in your town.

By promoting local art through public exhibitions, you can help create an environment where creativity is celebrated, appreciated, and, most importantly, thriving. In the next section, we'll explore how community workshops can further enhance the creative spirit in small towns. Stay tuned!

Create Community Workshops for Creative Skills

Workshops can act as a catalyst for creativity thriving in small towns. They serve as platforms for learning, sharing, and exploring various creative skills, connecting people with similar interests and fostering a vibrant, innovative community.

Identify Skills and Interests

Start by identifying the interests and talents within your community. This could be anything from pottery to poetry, from painting to photography. Once you've identified these skills, you can plan workshops around them.

Find Local Experts

Next, find locals who can teach these skills. They could be artists, craftsmen, writers, or anyone who has a skill to share. By tapping into local expertise, you're not only providing a platform for these individuals to share their knowledge but also keeping the learning experience close to home and relevant to your town's culture.

Set Up Spaces for Workshops

Find a suitable space where these workshops can take place. This could be a community center, a school, or even a local park. The place should be accessible, comfortable, and well-equipped to handle the types of workshops you plan to hold.

Market the Workshops

Spread the word about these workshops via community newsletters, bulletin boards, and social media. Get people excited about the opportunity to learn new things and explore their creativity. Encourage involvement by making the workshops free or low-cost, and ensure they're open to all ages.

By creating community workshops for creative skills, you're offering a space for people to learn, grow, and express themselves creatively. This can play a vital role in fostering an atmosphere of creativity thriving in small towns. Up next, let's look at how encouraging creative entrepreneurship can further fuel this culture of innovation and creativity.

Encourage Creative Entrepreneurship

Another practical way to foster creativity in small towns is by encouraging entrepreneurship. This isn't about starting the next big tech company, but rather about nurturing small, creative businesses that can contribute to the local economy while enhancing the town's unique character.

Highlight Successful Local Entrepreneurs

Start by showcasing successful local entrepreneurs. This could be anyone from a home baker who's opened a small café, to a photographer who's started their own studio. Sharing their stories will not only inspire others but also show that entrepreneurship is attainable and rewarding.

Provide Business Support and Resources

Offering business support and resources can be a game-changer for those with creative aspirations but limited business knowledge. This could include hosting business skill workshops, setting up mentorship programs, or providing information on how to access small business loans. Making these resources easily available can empower more people to turn their creative ideas into viable businesses.

Establish a Local Market

Consider setting up a local market where entrepreneurs can sell their products or services. This could be a weekend farmers market, a pop-up shop event, or even an online platform. Markets provide a vent for creativity while also contributing to the town's economy.

Offer Incentives

Lastly, offer incentives to encourage creative entrepreneurship. This could be in the form of tax breaks, business grants, or even competitions with a startup fund as the prize. Incentives can provide that additional push for someone to take their creative idea and turn it into a reality.

By encouraging creative entrepreneurship, we're not just talking about economic growth. We're talking about empowering individuals, fostering creativity, and shaping a town that's vibrant, unique, and forward-thinking. Next, we will explore how cultural events and festivals can contribute to creativity thriving in small towns.

Organize Cultural Events and Festivals

Nurturing creativity in small towns isn't just about promoting individual talents or businesses—it's also about creating communal experiences that inspire and connect people. One way to do this is by organizing cultural events and festivals.

Tap into Local Heritage

Small towns often have a rich heritage that's waiting to be explored. By organizing events that celebrate this heritage, you're not just showcasing your town's history but also nurturing a sense of unity and pride among residents. This could be a historic reenactment, a heritage food festival, or even a local craft fair.

Invite Local Artists and Performers

Cultural events offer a great platform for local artists and performers to showcase their talents. Be it a music festival, an art exhibition, or a dance showcase, these events can stir the creative spirit in everyone who attends.

Host Workshops and Demonstrations

Apart from performances, consider hosting workshops and demonstrations at your cultural events. This provides a hands-on experience for attendees, sparking interest and encouraging creativity. For instance, a pottery demonstration at a craft fair or a songwriting workshop at a music festival can be quite inspiring.

Create Interactive Experiences

Interactive experiences can engage attendees on a deeper level. For example, a mural wall where attendees can paint, or a storytelling booth where they can share their tales, makes the event participatory and memorable.

By providing a platform for expression and interaction, cultural events and festivals can play a significant role in kindling creativity and fostering a sense of community. In the next section, we'll delve into how library programs can contribute to creativity thriving in small towns.

Establish Library Programs for Creativity

Libraries are not just for books anymore. Nowadays, they can be a hub for fostering creativity thriving in small towns. Let's explore how.

Create a Maker Space

Have you ever heard of a Maker Space? It's a dedicated area in the library where people can come together to create, invent, and learn. Equipped with 3D printers, software, electronics, craft and hardware supplies, and more, the library can become a hotbed for innovation and creativity. Imagine the possibilities!

Organize Book Clubs and Writing Workshops

Book clubs and writing workshops go hand in hand with libraries. They not only encourage reading and writing but also stimulate discussions, ideas, and creativity. You could invite local authors for talks or host writing competitions to motivate aspiring writers in your small town.

Host Art and Craft Sessions

Libraries can also double up as art studios. Organizing regular art and craft sessions can encourage people to explore their artistic sides. It could be anything from painting classes to DIY craft sessions. The point is to get those creative juices flowing!

Offer Digital Creativity Classes

In the digital age, creativity isn't confined to traditional arts. Offering classes in digital creativity, such as graphic design, website creation, or digital music production can open up new avenues for creativity thriving in small towns.

As you can see, libraries can play a pivotal role in fostering creativity in small towns. By offering varied programs and resources, they can become centers for learning, innovation, and artistic expression. Next, let's explore how promoting local art with public exhibitions can further enhance the creative culture in small towns.

If you're looking for more ways to nurture your creativity, especially in a small-town environment, we highly recommend checking out Corbin Shaw's workshop, 'Getting Started As A Creative.' This workshop offers valuable tips and insights on how to find inspiration, connect with fellow creatives, and grow as an artist even in the most remote locations.