Video: Arts Build Community

Use Art to Build Community - video from SaveYour.Town

The arts share our cultural stories and preserve our history, address our present and create the kind of future we want.

Build a stronger community using our Idea Friendly format of Gather Your Crowd, Build Connections and Take Small Steps.

24 minute video
Available to watch immediately

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You told us that building a unified community is important to you right now.

Based on your feedback, we dug into our archives. We found this video from 2017, still relevant to your key needs: building community, involving everyone and bridging divides.

You'll get this newly-refreshed 24 minute video to help you build community today.

There is a bit of a tendency for people to think of art as something other people do.

If they think of art in their community at all, they think of murals or art exhibits.

Art is far more than just visual! In rural areas our cultural arts are often expressed through There is a bit of a tendency for people to think of art as something other people do. These are things all of us do!

The Arts are part of our culture, at the intersection of people and place

In this video, you'll see how to expand how you think of the arts and apply the Idea Friendly Method to involve more people from across your community.

Art includes more than just visual art.

In rural areas our arts are often expressed through music, craft, food and ways of doing things.
These are things all of us do!

Art happens in the present

Art and culture can link us to our past, but they do more than preserve the past.
Arts are very much part of our present day life.

Art connects us to the future

Arts can help us explore difficult issues, address emotions and conflicts.
We use art to create the kind of future we want to build together.

Meet the Old Geezers Club

In Akron, Iowa, in a basement, you’ll find the Old Geezers Club. In modern terms, it’s a makerspace.

A group of old guys brought their woodworking tools and supplies and are slowly filling up six rooms with them.

Their goal is to connect with young people to pass on their skills and make them relevant in the present day.

They don’t think this is art at all! But you know what? It sure is. It’s art and creativity and craftsmanship and it matters to their culture.

Reach across cultural boundaries in your community

Throughout 2022, we're focused on helping you build a fairer, more unified community. With all the forces that feel like they're pulling us apart, we want to help local communities like yours join together better.

The arts can help you reach across cultural boundaries in your community.

You can trust SaveYour.Town's Becky McCray and Deb Brown to share practical advice for rural communities.

We are both small town entrepreneurs. We've been trained in traditional economic, workforce and organization development. So we understand that old way thinking. But we didn't stop there.

Deb Brown and Becky McCray joined forces in May 2015 to help small towns and rural communities thrive. They developed the Idea Friendly Method out of their own personal experiences in business, agriculture, entrepreneurship, nonprofits and government.

You can watch on your own and share with others in your community.

This video is perfect for:

Arts, design and humanities organizations
Crafts associations, music groups, hobbyists
Tribes, First Nations and Indigenous arts, heritage and economic development organizations
Senior groups, activities and centers
Cultural centers, alliances
Tourism, agritourism, convention and visitors bureau
Museums, heritage and history organizations
Libraries
Community foundations
Downtown groups, Main Street, merchants associations, retail groups
Anyone who wants their town to be more prosperous

Not another tiresome webinar

Short, to the point video
Watch instantly on your schedule: anytime, on demand, starting now
Recorded so you can pause, stop, rewind or watch again immediately

You won't waste time waiting for everyone to sign in or sitting through long introductions. You don't have to put up with technical glitches or annoying background noise from inconsiderate participants. No one will fumble around with how to control their video or say "Can you see my screen?"

You get personal access to Becky and Deb via message, email and comment. We do answer your questions personally!

Arts Build Community - video with Deb Brown and Becky McCray

24 minute video

Available immediately - no waiting

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Is this video recorded so I can watch later?

Yes, the video is recorded, and you'll be able to watch it immediately as soon as you complete your purchase. You are welcome to watch the video more than once, start and stop, or go back and watch again. You're not limited to watching from a single computer or with just one group.

Can I get a copy of the slides?

You get a transcript plus an audio-only version for listening on the go.

What if I have questions?

You can ask questions two ways: in the comment box or via email. We always answer you personally. You can also share stories or examples you've seen. That helps everyone!

Will the video play on my computer? Or on my phone?

Either one! If you can watch a YouTube video, you can watch this video. That means you can use any device, any screen that can load a web page for you to login. Any PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, Android phone or tablet, smart TV or TV with a streaming box or stick should work.
You don't need blazing fast internet.

Can I share the video with other people?

Yes! Once you’re registered, you can schedule more than one viewing so you reach as many people as possible. We encourage you to watch on your own or set up a virtual watch party.

How long should I make a watch party?

For a watch party, schedule 45 -50 minutes. You'll want that extra time to discuss what you watched and to network and talk with each other.

Who should I invite?

Your friends who love to do things with you
Visionaries like yourself
Downtown associations, Main Streets, chambers and economic developers
Positive thinkers and doers
Leaders and regular people
Community foundations and leadership groups
Elected officials from your local municipalities, counties or tribes
Business with a community focus, like banks and utilities
People who care about your town

What people say about SaveYour.Town videos

This video stimulated lots of note-taking and conversation between the business owners gathered at my house. Deb and Becky gave us some new ideas and several excellent examples of known models. I think some of us are thinking of pivoting our summer’s plans after participating in Wednesday’s event. Thanks for a well-thought out presentation!

Jonya Pacey, Minnesota

What a TERRIFIC marketing Video. I had 20 businesses show up to watch and they all left with new ideas and an excitement to get back and start implementing! I’ve already had 5 businesses reach out in less than 2 hours after it ended, that are already putting your ideas into action.

Mandy Walsh, City of Lampasas, Texas

There are always great take-aways from the videos that can be put into place immediately. One of my favorites is changing your store's evening vibe (different music, lighting, etc.) because evening shoppers are not the same as day time shoppers.

Diane Moore, Wheaton, Illinois

Videos by SaveYour.Town are fun way to learn some no-nonsense alternatives to community inertia.

Clark Hoskin, Ontario

Arts Build Community - video with Deb Brown and Becky McCray

24 minute video
Immediate access

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