A LETTER FROM ASPEN ART MUSEUM
In 2019, Aspen Art Museum began a new project to explore connections between rural arts organizations and to understand how those connections affect the organizations themselves and the communities they serve. Michelle Dezember, the AAM’s former Learning Director, saw an opportunity; although there had been studies on the importance of networking across rural communities, there were no studies that included an anchoring institution. Outreach is a large part of our mission and the museum’s former Director of Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion, Annie Henninger, had existing relationships with schools in rural communities across western Colorado. As the only accredited art museum on the Western Slope, the onus was on us to connect and serve rural arts organizations in this capacity. Dolly Hayde and Justin Meyer from the Center of Science and Industry had previously helped the museum with a visitor evaluation survey and strategic plan, so we knew we had amazing partners who could help us collect and evaluate data. With the generous support of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, we set out to study what happens when rural communities come together. A lot of what we learned could not have been predicted. Because so much of this three- year period has been affected by the pandemic, mutual support has proven to be the through-line of our story and connection the cornerstone of the work we have done together. We have reflected, responded, and shifted plans during this time, which has only served to strengthen our network. Over the life of this project, we’ve had the opportunity to observe how other organizations operate and thrive, and how to mine each other’s resources. The research gave smaller organizations the opportunity to see how their communities perceived them, and the communities that took advantage of this were able to learn more about themselves. This experience has involved building solidarity, empathy, and mutual respect—becoming more aware of the unique challenges that we face and those that we share as organizations. Our communities, already isolated geographically, saw isolation magnify during the pandemic. The landscape loomed larger and people seemed further away. By forming this network and collaborating, we have all connected with people we may never have crossed paths with otherwise—people we now know and admire, and who we can call on for advice and support. It is the inherent nature of the arts to foster connection, and that’s what this project is really about—connecting and being better for it. Beyond the project timeline, we hope to enrich, deepen, and sustain the professional and interpersonal network we have created over the past three years. In the coming months, AAM’s education department will visit each of our western Colorado partner organizations and bring art
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