Keynote: "More than 'Not Urban': Serving Rural Communities as Places and as People" by Andy Mink

Name: Keynote: "More than 'Not Urban': Serving Rural Communities as Places and as People" by Andy Mink
Start: 2026-03-27T15:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-03-27T16:00:00-05:00
Location: Iowa City Public Library

Schedule

Fri Mar 27 2026 at 03:00 pm to 04:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Iowa City Public Library | Iowa City, IA

This is a keynote lecture for the 2025-2026 Obermann Symposium: "Cultivating Rurality: Building Community around Rural Research."
Andy Mink, Smithsonian Institute: "More than 'Not Urban': Serving Rural Communities as Places and as People"
What are synonyms for rural? Country and small town? Rustic or backcountry? Pastoral or hick? Rural communities are an important part of American life and history, yet they are frequently seen in a deficit model defined by what they are not instead of what they are. While life in rural America may look different than in exurban and urban areas, it is a mistake to assume that the structures in rural areas are not as effective at building and maintaining thriving communities. Studies have shown that rural schools promote civic engagement more than other communities. Rurality is not a monolith, however, and different regions of the country have unique qualities and characteristics that are important to understand.
The Smithsonian’s Rural Initiative aims to redefine the Institution as more than a destination located in Washington, D.C, but as a public service that can be accessed by local communities across the nation. Learn how this work is being operationalized to build strong working partnerships and develop community-sourced programs that respond to the identified priorities and challenges of rural America.
Free and open to all.
This event will also be livestreamed. Link to the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/thelibrarychannel