Lynchburg’s Professional Development Institute is launching a new eight-week professional development course to empower individuals to create sustainable arts initiatives in rural and small-town communities. The course, “Thriving Community Arts: Strategies for Sustainable Success,” begins on Oct. 14 and is open to arts administrators, community leaders, educators, and other professionals passionate about enhancing the role of the arts in their communities.
Led by Geoffrey Kershner, CEO of the Academy Center of the Arts and host of the Small Town, Big Arts podcast, the program will provide participants with the tools and strategies necessary to foster thriving arts programs in smaller communities. Through a blend of live, interactive online sessions and hands-on assignments, participants will explore rural areas’ unique challenges and opportunities when trying to build and sustain arts initiatives. The course will require a weekly commitment of approximately three to four hours, including class time and assignments.
During the eight weeks, participants will delve into key topics such as understanding the demographic and cultural landscape of rural and small-town America, building community support for the arts, and developing effective partnerships and funding strategies. The program will also explore different organizational models suited to smaller communities, strategies for building organizational capacity, and the importance of strategic planning in aligning arts projects with community goals.
Participants will have the chance to present a detailed project proposal by the end of the course, receiving feedback from peers and experts to refine their plans for real-world implementation.
The course is designed for a wide range of individuals, including artists, arts administrators, nonprofit professionals, and community leaders, as well as urban and rural planners. It offers a unique opportunity for anyone looking to drive meaningful, lasting change through the arts in small towns and rural areas.
Registration is now open, and those interested are encouraged to sign up soon to secure a spot in this transformative program. For more information and to register, visit pdi.lynchburg.edu or contact pdi@lynchburg.edu.
The Professional Development Institute at the University of Lynchburg offers noncredit programs that support professional development and lifelong learning. Through courses like this one, PDI empowers individuals and communities to thrive by providing tools for success in a wide range of fields.
