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Last month, Humanities Texas hosted Smithsonian Rural Initiative Director Andy Mink and representatives of rural-serving institutions and partners in Texas at the Byrne-Reed House in Austin. Mink shared recent findings from a nationwide survey he and his colleagues conducted assessing the top priorities that rural communities have regarding their cultural sectors. Mink also discussed how the initiative could support local projects in rural Texas beginning in 2026. Attendees shared their knowledge and resources, including best practices for collaborating with and serving rural museums, libraries, agencies, and local governments. Participants included:

  • Bradford Patterson, Deputy Executive Director for Preservation Programs, Texas Historical Commission
  • David Preziosi, President / CEO, Texas Historical Foundation
  • Sarah Jacobson Karnes, Director of Library Development and Networking Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission
  • Evan Thompson, Executive Director, Preservation Texas
  • Evan Wolstencroft, Program Manager, Texas Rural Funders
  • Katy Sauer, Senior Program Officer, Still Water Foundation
  • Cristina Saltos, Program Administrator, Texas Commission
    on the Arts
  • Margaret Koch, Director, Bullock Texas State History Museum
  • Meg Greene, Director, MINDPOP
  • Nic Garcia, Regions Editor, The Texas Tribune

The following week, Humanities Texas staff attended the first annual Rural Leaders Summit in Washington, DC, at the invitation of the Smithsonian Rural Initiative. Director of Grants Marco Buentello and Senior Grants Program Officer Bethany Offer-Moscoso participated in the two-and-a-half-day program at the Smithsonian Institution. The summit showcased Smithsonian programs and resources to dozens of rural-serving professionals from across the nation. Humanities Texas was the only Texas organization and the only humanities council represented at this inaugural summit.

If you are a rural organization or a rural-serving foundation, please contact marco@humanitiestexas.org for information on how Humanities Texas grants or the Smithsonian Rural Initiative could benefit your community.

Representatives from rural-serving institutions and partners convene at the Byrne-Reed House in Austin.
Smithsonian Rural Initiative Director Andy Mink presents findings from a nationwide survey of rural communities.
Rural Leaders Summit attendees gather in front of the Smithsonian Institution Building in Washington, DC.