The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with the Housing Assistance Council, is pleased to announce the 2023 communities taking part in this year’s Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design. The Eastern Shoshone Tribe is one of 17 communities selected for the Design Learning Cohort in which local community members receive training in rural design and creative placemaking, coaching on facilitation techniques, assistance navigating funding opportunities, and one-on-one technical assistance on their community design project.
This will enable the Eastern Shoshone Tribe to begin the preliminary process of planning for a new tribal facility that can house a new cultural center, as well as an archives repository, classroom and meeting room space, and art exhibit area. Other ideas include additional areas for historic preservation, tribal enrollment, and research and study space for tribal members.
“These projects, including that of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe in Fort Washakie, exemplify how communities can come together to leverage design, enhancing quality of life, economic vitality, and civic infrastructure,” said Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD, chair of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Since 1991, the Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design has worked in communities with populations of 50,000 or less to enhance quality of life and economic vitality through planning, design, and creative placemaking. To date, the NEA has engaged more than 120 communities in all regions of the country.
“The Shoshone Business Council recognizes the need to build new space dedicated to our culture, history, genealogy, art, sacred artifacts and opportunities to educate our youth,” said John St. Clair, Chairman of the SBC. “Shoshone tribal members have voiced their desire for a new museum many times in the past and with this funding and this CIRD team, we will start the long-awaited process.”
Shoshone tribal members, along with stakeholders, business owners, local residents and tribal leadership will be asked to provide more ideas and feedback for this new large-scale project. Both virtual, in-person and surveys will be offered to include as much feedback as possible. More information will be provided via the EST Facebook page and Newe News.
For more information on this program announcement, visit arts.gov/news or rural-design.org