Department of Public Transformation

Department of Public Transformation Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Department of Public Transformation, Community Organization, 726 Prentice Street, Granite Falls, MN.

We are a nonprofit organization that develops creative strategies for increased community connection, civic engagement, and equitable participation in rural places.

There is less that one week left to apply to the Engage Rural Civic Arts Cohort!The Engage Rural Civic Arts Cohort is a ...
06/12/2026

There is less that one week left to apply to the Engage Rural Civic Arts Cohort!

The Engage Rural Civic Arts Cohort is a year-long program where selected teams in rural Minnesota work together, get support, and develop their ideas over time.

All details about eligibility and the program are available on our website. We have an Info Session recording and FAQs available as well. Please share with any group, organization, or project that may be interested!

Applications are due by June 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM CT.

Access everything you need here: publictransformation.org/engage-rural-civic-arts-cohort

Join us for an Ignite Rural Spark Webinar tomorrow w/ Leah Xiuzhen Rathe, and register for the upcoming Spark Webinar w/...
06/10/2026

Join us for an Ignite Rural Spark Webinar tomorrow w/ Leah Xiuzhen Rathe, and register for the upcoming Spark Webinar w/ Rocky Casillas Aguirre!

Leah and Rocky participated in the 2023 – 2024 Ignite Rural Artist Residency, and now they return with the Spark Series: a public listen-and-learn webinar celebrating the continued impact of Ignite Rural alumni who are growing their creative practices and emerging as leaders in their communities.

Leah has built her own media business and continues to use art as a tool for impact, leadership, and storytelling. During this webinar, she will share reflections on how her creative practice has evolved since participating in the Ignite Rural residency, her passion for rural and adoptee stories, and the intersections of community and art. Leah will also discuss both her past and current projects.

Join Leah on Thursday, June 11, from 5–6 PM. Register here: publictransformation.org/events/leah-sparks

Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a live Q&A.

Rocky has built a mission-driven creative studio, used art to support youth mental health, and continues to spark meaningful conversations through storytelling and imagination.

Rocky’s webinar is on Tuesday, June 16 from 5 – 6 PM, register here: publictransformation.org/events/spark-rocky

On Tuesday, June 16th we begin the first workshop of the Creative Economic Development Workshop Series!Offered by DoPT i...
06/08/2026

On Tuesday, June 16th we begin the first workshop of the Creative Economic Development Workshop Series!

Offered by DoPT in partnership with Southwest Initiative Foundation, this three part workshop series is completely FREE to attend.

There is still time to register to join a dynamic cohort of Southwest Minnesota leaders for a hands-on learning experience blending virtual sessions with an in-person workshop.

Together, we’ll explore creative, community-driven strategies to:
– Activate underutilized spaces and bring new life to downtowns
– Boost community engagement and participation
– Strengthen creative capital and arts ecosystems
– Build more resilient local economies
– Enhance community health and quality of life

Space is limited to 40 participants, so we encourage registration asap. It is on a first-come, first-served, and participants are asked to be available to attend all three sessions.

✨ Series Overview:

– Workshop 1 (Virtual) | Tuesday, June 16 | 12 – 1 PM CT
Introduction to Creative Economic Development

– Workshop 2 (In-Person Deep Dive) | Wednesday, July 22 | 11 AM – 4:30 PM CT
@ The YES! House, 726 Prentice Street, Granite Falls, MN (Lunch provided)
From Ideas to Action: Designing Creative Economic Development Projects

– Workshop 3 (Virtual) | Tuesday, August 18 | 12 – 1 PM CT
Refining and Sustaining Your Work

Learn more and register by visiting: publictransformation.org/events/ced-summer-workshop

Former Ignite Rural Artist-in-Residence Rocky Casillas Aguirre created a new mural in downtown Northfield, MN! Congratul...
06/05/2026

Former Ignite Rural Artist-in-Residence Rocky Casillas Aguirre created a new mural in downtown Northfield, MN! Congratulations, Rocky!

Leah and Rocky participated in the 2023 – 2024 Ignite Rural Artist Residency, and now they return with the Spark Series ...
05/29/2026

Leah and Rocky participated in the 2023 – 2024 Ignite Rural Artist Residency, and now they return with the Spark Series — a public listen-and-learn webinar celebrating the continued impact of Ignite Rural alumni who are growing their creative practices and emerging as leaders in their communities.

Leah has built her own media business, and continues to use art as a tool for impact, leadership, and storytelling. Rocky has built a mission-driven creative studio, used art to support youth mental health, and continues to spark meaningful conversations through storytelling and imagination.

Register below to join their upcoming Spark Series webinars. Free + open to everyone!

Leah: publictransformation.org/events/leah-sparks

Rocky: publictransformation.org/events/spark-rocky

If you'd like to receive a recording of the webinar, please register, and we'll send you the recording!

Sometimes, in the middle of all the noise, we forget that resilience isn’t always about pushing through, it can be about...
05/26/2026

Sometimes, in the middle of all the noise, we forget that resilience isn’t always about pushing through, it can be about learning how to stay grounded in ourselves while the world keeps moving around us.

That’s why Ignite Rural and Department of Public Transformation are partnering with Right To Be for an interactive online workshop designed to help participants author their own resilience story.

Together, we’ll explore what resilience really means beyond self-care, using guided practices to hold pain, find joy, and make sense of the moment we’re living through.

Participants will also learn practical tools for recovering and reconnecting when life feels overwhelming.

Free and open to the public! Register here: publictransformation.org/events/right-to-be-resilience-training

Right To Be: Resilience Training Virtual Workshop
Monday, June 8 | 5 – 6:30 PM CT
Online via Zoom!

Department of Public Transformation has an open call for five rural Minnesota communities interested in developing creat...
05/24/2026

Department of Public Transformation has an open call for five rural Minnesota communities interested in developing creative strategies for civic engagement. Selected community teams will receive funding, curated technical assistance, and peer learning as a cohort for 12 months!

For the 2026 – 2027 cohort, DoPT will select 5 Core Teams who are based in rural communities with a population under 20,000 residents in Minnesota and the Native nations that share that geography.

Applications are due by June 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM CT.

Learn more, watch an info session, and apply by visiting: publictransformation.org/engage-rural-civic-arts-cohort

Last week we shared the ten projects selected for the 2026 – 2028 Activate Rural Learning Lab. Selected projects include...
05/24/2026

Last week we shared the ten projects selected for the 2026 – 2028 Activate Rural Learning Lab. Selected projects include teams of entrepreneurs, artists, and activators cultivating creative third places in rural communities of under 20,000 people across Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and the Tribal Nations that share this geography.

One of the selected projects is Ground Control, based out of Pine Ridge, SD. “Ground Control is celebrating the identity and sovereignty of the Lakota people in unexpected and powerful ways. They are skaters, storytellers, and gardeners. Their work is transforming the Pine Ridge Reservation and creating new ways for engaging young people.” -Activate Rural team

Stay tuned as we share more about the selected projects throughout the next several weeks!

The Founder of Ground Control, Kyle Mesteth, was a Beyond the Clock guest in 2025, read the artist-in-residence reflection and listen to his podcast episode by visiting: publictransformation.org/blog/kyle-mesteth-reflection

In late April 2026, Activate Rural Program Director Sarina Otaibi and DoPT’s Creative Executive Officer Ash Hanson joine...
05/21/2026

In late April 2026, Activate Rural Program Director Sarina Otaibi and DoPT’s Creative Executive Officer Ash Hanson joined the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) for its board meeting and 40th anniversary celebration in Faribault.

They shared insights on the economic and community impact of creative gathering spaces and arts-based approaches to community engagement.

Ash and Sarina were joined by long-time DoPT partner, Scott Marquardt, who shared his experience supporting the creative economy through the Southwest Initiative Foundation. Huge thanks to Benya Kraus and the team at SMIF for having us!

Southwest Minnesota: Are you ready to spark new energy in your community?Join a dynamic cohort of Southwest Minnesota le...
05/19/2026

Southwest Minnesota: Are you ready to spark new energy in your community?

Join a dynamic cohort of Southwest Minnesota leaders for a hands-on learning experience blending virtual sessions with an in-person workshop!

Together, we’ll explore creative, community-driven strategies to:
– Activate underutilized spaces and bring new life to downtowns
– Boost community engagement and participation
– Strengthen creative capital and arts ecosystems
– Build more resilient local economies
– Enhance community health and quality of life

The Creative Economic Development Workshop Series, offered by DoPT in partnership with Southwest Initiative Foundation, is completely FREE to attend.

Space is limited to 40 participants, so we encourage registration asap. It is on a first-come, first-served, and participants are asked to be available to attend all three sessions.

June 16 – August 18, in-person at The YES! House in Granite Falls, MN and virtual via Zoom.

Learn more and register by visiting: publictransformation.org/events/ced-summer-workshop

Address

726 Prentice Street
Granite Falls, MN
56241

Telephone

+13202046629

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