Name: Rural Arts & Culture Forum
Start: 2025-10-28T09:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-10-28T16:00:00-05:00
Location: The Mabel Tainter

People involved in the arts and creativity, business, community development, education, and government are invited to come together at the 2025 Rural Arts and Culture Forum, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, in Menomonie, WI.
This year’s Forum will take place at the Mabel Tainter Theater in downtown Menomonie, a restored vintage American theater presenting a varied schedule of musical, theatrical and visual programs and events. The Forum is hosted by Create Wisconsin, Wisconsin Arts Board, and the Mabel Tainter Theater.
People from northwest Wisconsin, and every area in the state, are invited to attend the Forum. The Forum has a 30+ year history bringing together leaders involved in the arts, business, economic development, education, government, and politics, to share stories, issues, and ideas on how to grow the region creatively and help creative people, businesses and communities flourish. In the post-pandemic world, collaboration, community, transformation and opportunities have become even more important to the health and well-being of Wisconsin, its people, and its communities.
Agenda (details TBD and subject to change)
Starting at 9 am - registration, connecting, refreshments
10 am - welcome and introductions - we’ll take the time we need for everyone to introduce themselves
11am - Collaboration, Community, and Creativity presentations
12:30 pm - lunch and networking, and tour of the theater
1:30 pm - Resources for Small Town Creative Investment: presentations and discussion
2:30 pm - roundtables and action discussions
3:30 pm - groups report out and closing remarks
4 pm - adjourn (and happy hour!)
Supported by the Ruth Foundation for the Arts, Kohler Foundation, and WEDC Office of Rural Prosperity.
There’s no charge to attend. Registrations received by October 1 will be eligible for a prize drawing of “Mabel” stuff!