These agencies know that the boundaries and walls that once defined our art spaces must be expanded to embrace new partners and new venues. Trails are an important, but underutilized resource for most communities. Here are of some the programs and services you can use to connect the arts to your trail. Residencies Most state arts agencies have some kind of residency program for artists. During a residency an artist will often teach, perform or demonstrate their craft.
Residencies can be an effective vehicle for providing an interpretive component to a trail.
For example, Michigan's Great Outdoors Culture Tour utilizes the touring roster of the arts council and the humanities agency to provide programming during the summer in Michigan's state parks, national forests and national parks. Folk Arts Forty-seven state arts agency have resident folklorists. They can assist you in documenting the cultures and artists, as well as assist you in engaging the communities connected by your trail in developing their cultural resources. This effort was built on the extensive research and development done by the North Carolina Arts Council. Some 24 states and 200 local jurisdictions have public or percent for art programs.