MAAA | Programs | Prof. Development | Nebraska | NECAP | Brownville

Brownville has a total population of around 150 people. But for such a small community they have a surprising number of arts organizations including the Brownville Concert Series, the Brownville Theater, and four museums.

The Brownville Fine Arts Association focused on the idea of "Creating Community" for their residency and their goals were aimed at involving long standing non-arts community members in the residency activities. To that end they worked on three arts activities that took place outside of their usual venues. They also set out to serve Peru University students and other local groups that have historically had limited access to the arts.

Besides the formal concert at the Brownville Concert Hall, their residency activities included a reception at the Whisky Creek Run Winery for local arts patrons, a performance by Robert at a local church service, performances at a local elementary school and Peru State College, and an informal barbecue at TJ’s Tavern.

The TJ’s Tavern event truly achieved what the Fine Arts Association set out to do and engaged the audience that is usually the most difficult to reach. All members of the community were invited to get together for an informal "jam session" and cookout and attendees ranged from patrons of the arts to local farmers.

Says Brownville Fine Arts Association president John Lauber of the experience, "the residency was very helpful in meeting our goal of building better cooperation between all of the non-profits operating here."

Photos:

Top: Patrons' reception at the Whiskey Run Creek Winery in Brownville, March 2006.

Bottom: John Lauber, Robert Bluestone, and Don Hoffmeyer after Robert’s performace at the Brownville Christian Church, Brownville, March 2006.