Rhinelander, WI

ArtStart, a community arts organization, is leading the project in Rhinelander alongside the City Council. The team is working with area healthcare providers and social service organizations on their 2024 project: youth mental health and isolation. They are working with local youth to co-design and build a new skatepark with integrated art elements, providing an ongoing oasis of gathering, creativity and support for teenagers. They are also working with the county’s Aging and Disability Resource Center on art programs for adults with memory loss. Both projects are creating ongoing opportunities for art creation as a space for connection and social cohesion. The project will culminate in a July 2024 public event, seeking to change the conversation about life in rural US communities today.