Resurrection of the Potter County Arts Council was among the goals established during a brainstorming session held recently at the Gunzburger Building. Last week, with support from the Potter County Commissioners, a steering committee applied to the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts for a grant to help make it happen. Funding, if approved, would also be used for an arts-in-education project involving Potter County schools and, potentially, a local performance by award-winning musicians sitting side-by-side with local students.

Earlier this year, Potter County was one of six locations in the nation chosen for a yearlong pilot project to create a vibrant arts culture that can support community and economic development. The “Creative Counties Placemaking Challenge: Arts & Culture as an Economic Driver” initiative is sponsored by the Americans for the Arts (AFA). Potter County’s project involves the use of schools, libraries, artisans, local leaders, businesses, galleries/museums and volunteers.

About 25 invited guests participated in the local brainstorming session, representing businesses, libraries, schools, tourist marketing, historic preservation, county government, arts/culture centers and multiple forms of the arts — music, theater, fiber arts, artisan crafts and others. Here’s a summary of Potter County’s strategic plan:

Potter County’s overarching goals

• to reverse population loss and rising median age;
• to make Potter County more appealing to those who live here, those who are looking to relocate to a rural community, and those who left Potter County and might consider returning;
• to use the arts as part of a broader strategy for community and economic development.

So what’s happened so far?

• A steering committee has been developed to draft and implement a work plan.
• Potential partners and advisors have been contacted to apprise them of the mission.
• Steps are being taken to resurrect the Potter County Arts Council.
• Collaboration continues with the Americans for the Arts and project partners to fully maximize Potter County’s engagement.
• Communication tools have been developed to apprise and engage potential partners and volunteers.

What’s next?

• Investigate potential sources of funding, technical assistance/consulting and locations.
• Continue research into best practices/successful rural models.
• Lay groundwork for a countywide arts-in-education project.
• Survey local school students and young adults to learn more of their expectations or preferences to make local communities more appealing.

Teams from the other five national pilot projects are working on other strategies that could also benefit Potter County. These include:

• Greenbriar County, W. Va., using the arts to promote rehabilitation, healing and recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs.
• Puna Community, Hawaii, employing the arts to address poverty and strengthen a sense of community and appreciation for the local culture and environment.
• LaCrosse County, Wisc., integrating the arts with other activities to raise awareness of the impact of climate change on rural communities.
• Perry County, Ohio, using the arts to deepen appreciation for, and protection of, outdoor recreation and the environment.
• Van Buren County, Mich., addressing mental illness and physical well-being with the arts, involving the court system, local governments and other partners.