13: Small Town Arts: The Hidden Growth Lever for Rural Entrepreneurship

Episode notes

What role can the arts play in rural entrepreneurship and the economic growth of a small town? In Merrickville, Ontario, artists have spent decades helping shape the identity of a village known for creativity, craftsmanship, and a thriving small town arts scene. But maintaining that reputation takes far more work than most visitors ever see. When Kenna McCall retired to Merrickville, she didn't arrive intending to become part of its artistic leadership. A silversmith, gem cutter, and jewellery designer, she didn't even fully consider herself an artist at the time. Today, she's president of the Merrickville Artists Guild, helping an entirely volunteer-run organization support artists while keeping their work visible within the community. In this episode of Small Town Stories, we explore the connection between the arts, local business growth, and rural entrepreneurship - and why creative communities can become powerful economic assets for small towns. Kenna shares what happens behind the scenes of an arts community business, from mentorship and professional development to helping artists navigate pricing, marketing, social media, and the transition from hobby artist to professional.

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