About the Neltje Center

Why Rural Wyoming Needs the Arts Now More Than Ever 

In a time of sweeping social, economic, and environmental change, rural communities across America are searching for new ways to adapt, connect, and thrive. Research shows that one of the most effective—and often overlooked—drivers of rural resilience is the arts. Far from being a luxury, the arts are an engine for economic development, social connection, and creative problem solving. 

According to the National Endowment for the Arts, rural arts organizations attract more out-of-town visitors—31% compared to 19% for urban groups—bringing valuable revenue to local businesses and helping build cultural tourism in places like Sheridan County. Additionally, 66% of American businesses say arts and culture are key to attracting and retaining workers—a major advantage for Wyoming, where workforce development is a statewide priority. 

Here at the Neltje Center and our partner program Jentel, we’ve seen this firsthand. In April, we hosted Listening with Water, a unique program that brought together poet and scholar Gretchen Henderson, hydrologists, land stewards, and dozens of community members to explore our relationships with water through both science and storytelling. In May, we offered a Community Printmaking Workshop featuring Wyoming artist Lindsay Linton Buk, who shared her creative process before participants tried printmaking firsthand under the guidance of local artist Rachel Ruleaux. And this June, we’re hosting Mapping Meaning, a national gathering of artists and scientists that includes public events focused on the future of energy and ecology in our region. 

Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to join the Bighorn Arts Collective in presenting the Collective Arts Festival on August 9, 2025—a celebration of art, music, ideas, and community. This free event will bring together local, regional, and national creatives in downtown Sheridan, including artist pop-ups, performances, workshops, and conversations. It’s more than a festival—it’s a declaration that rural communities like ours are vibrant centers of creativity and culture. 

These initiatives don’t just engage—they empower. They turn passive observers into active participants in shaping the culture and future of rural Wyoming. And they demonstrate how art can deepen understanding, build community, and inspire innovation. 

The data backs this up. A study by the University of Pennsylvania found that communities with high concentrations of arts organizations enjoy stronger civic engagement, greater social cohesion, and even lower poverty rates. In Sheridan County specifically, arts and culture employment has surged by 46%, far outpacing the statewide growth of around 1% between 2018 and 2022. This robust growth confirms that the creative sector isn’t just surviving here—it’s leading. And this vitality translates into real-world benefits: stronger small businesses, fuller restaurant patios, and more vibrant streets. 

At the Neltje Center, we believe creativity belongs to everyone. That’s why we’ll continue to champion programs that connect artists, scientists, scholars, and neighbors in the spirit of curiosity, collaboration, and care. We are intentionally weaving arts into the social and economic fabric of rural Wyoming. These aren’t just creative endeavors—they’re strategic investments in our future.  

If Sheridan County is to thrive—not just survive—we must invest in the arts as deeply as we do in roads, education, and healthcare. It’s clear: arts aren’t a luxury for rural places—they are essential catalysts for prosperity, belonging, and collective well-being.