The Rural Ripple Effect: How One Performance Supports a Whole Community

Art Lives Here – Week 2 | Northern Lakes Arts Association

In small towns across America, the arts are often seen as a luxury—an “extra.” But here in Ely, Minnesota, and throughout the Iron Range, we know better.

At the Northern Lakes Arts Association (NLAA), the arts are not an afterthought. They are the heartbeat of our town—bringing people together, creating local jobs, attracting tourism, and shaping the next generation of thinkers, makers, and dreamers.

One show. One ticket. One moment of applause. These are more than fleeting experiences. They are part of a powerful rural ripple effect—and it’s time to tell that story.

Infographic promoting arts investment impact. Claims $1 to arts returns $7. Emphasizes economic growth. Urges to attend, donate, volunteer.

One Ticket = Sevenfold Economic Impact

Let’s start with the numbers. According to Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, every $1 spent on the arts in Minnesota generates $7 in total economic impact. That means your $25 ticket to a community theater show does more than support creativity—it fuels restaurants, lodges, coffee shops, retail stores, and local staff.

In Ely, these ripples matter. When audiences attend NLAA shows at the historic State Theater or participate in a summer arts program, they’re also eating downtown, staying at local hotels, buying supplies from neighborhood stores, and exploring our creative economy in real time.

“It was the first thing I attended when I moved here,” said a new Ely resident who came to NLAA’s Dancing with the Ely Stars. “It wasn’t just a show—it made me feel like I belonged.”

This is what the arts do in a rural community: they don’t just entertain—they integrate.

Three women in a dim room, focused on documents under a hanging microphone. Black and white floral patterns catch the light, creating a serious mood. — Emily Weise, Karin Schmidt, and Andrea Strom look over music during a Reflections Dance Company Summer Concert.

Supporting Local Artists and Livelihoods

That same ticket sale helps hire local artists and creators. Each year, NLAA employs choreographers, lighting designers, musicians, teaching artists, scenic painters, youth program assistants, and more—many of them from within our region.

Megan Wind, an NLAA board member and choreographer, shared:

“When I relocated to Ely in 2023, I thought I’d have to set aside my artistic pursuits. But a single Facebook tag led me to Ian Lah and a production of Little Shop of Horrors. Now I’ve choreographed multiple productions, performed with Reflections Dance Company."

These aren’t side gigs. These are careers. They are meaningful, paid creative opportunities in a region where such work is often hard to find.

According to the National Endowment for the Arts, creative workers—artists, designers, musicians, and cultural organizers—play a critical role in the rural workforce, helping towns attract and retain talent, diversify their economies, and preserve regional identities.

Youth Programming with a Lasting Impact

Every year, NLAA offers subsidized, low-cost, or free programming for youth in visual arts, theater, dance, and music. These programs are not just recreational—they’re transformational.

Scott King, visual artist and NLAA board member, shared:

“This past year, I saw it in the faces of young people walking into their first art show at the State Theater. Their curiosity sparkled as they stood before a painting or picked up a brush for the first time.”

Boy and older man create colorful art at a table in a room with beige walls. Women converse in the background. Creative and calm mood. — Local artist and NLAA board member collaborates with a young student at the Greenstone Art Camp, fostering creativity and learning.

From Greenstone Art Camp to Broadway in the Boundary Waters, we see young people not only develop their talents—but find their voices. Many go on to become confident public speakers, innovative thinkers, and community leaders. Some go on to professional careers in the arts.

Your ticket helps fund this. Your gift keeps it going.

Rural Art as Economic Infrastructure

This isn't just Ely’s story—this is a national rural renaissance.

According to the National Governors Association, rural arts programs “support local economies by stimulating business development, attracting visitors, and creating vibrant, livable communities.” Communities with strong arts infrastructure enjoy greater job retention, increased civic participation, and stronger intergenerational ties.

In northeast Minnesota, the creative sector contributes over $40 million to the regional economy. Organizations like NLAA are leading the charge.

“I’ve seen what NLAA has done for Ely,” one supporter told us. “It’s incredible to witness the talent it brings out in this community—and what it brings in. NLAA makes me proud to call Ely home.”

These investments are about more than money. They’re about identity, resilience, and rural prosperity.

This is More Than Art—This is Home

“I watched Bright Star this summer, and it brought me to tears. The content and quality of the performance were astounding. It felt like Broadway came to Ely.”

Performers on stage with arms raised, smiling. Wooden backdrop, colorful lighting, variety of elegant outfits. Energetic and joyful mood. — The company of *Bright Star* during our 2024 Broadway in the Boundary Waters Season. This show featured two debuts by local actors Ruby Milton and Alison Poppler.

What we offer here isn’t just talent—it’s a sense of place. The applause at curtain call, the conversations after a gallery opening, the laughter at a dance recital—these are the sounds of a community thriving. These are the shared moments that define home.

This ripple of belonging, inspiration, and pride begins with you.