Let me answer a question with another question. State arts agencies ask the same question of communities about the arts. The answers to these two questions help define what we mean by the arts, which embrace a diversity of cultural expressions, ranging from saddlemaking and fiddle playing to ballet and opera. State arts agencies recognize that our communities and the way that people experience the arts are changing. 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.