The History of the Community Arts Program

Across the United States, communities have discovered creative and innovative ways to use the arts to help reshape and bolster their social, physical, and economic well-being. The arts can play a crucial and valuable role in the local community and economic development efforts.

This initiative began in January 2012 with six central Missouri communities actively engaged during the first year in Creativity and Community Engagement Workshops with MU Arts faculty and MU Extension faculty — exploring and planning for using the arts as a strategy to enhance community building, spark innovation and create new economic opportunity. The City of Lexington was awarded the first pilot project community in January 2013. For more information on the MU Extension Community Arts Pilot Project in Lexington, visit Lexington chosen for MU Extension Community Arts Project.