This chapter describes the Touring Arts Team, a program supported by the Iowa and South Dakota arts councils.

Promotion of the arts in rural America is one of the highest priorities for the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as for state arts agencies and regional organizations. We pursue this priority together through a vital and active partnership that often involves collaboration with local arts agencies; artist residencies; presentation of touring artists; arts education; community design initiatives; folk arts programs; and assistance to developing cultural organizations. Essential to the success of these efforts has been the national leadership provided by the arts Endowment, as well as the skill and experience of state and regional arts agencies in serving their small communities. The most important element, however, has been the cultural vitality present in so much of rural America.

[This book describes] only a few of the many successful projects that could be used to demonstrate the power of the arts to bring new life to small towns, celebrate bonds of heritage and common experience, and give creative expression to shared values. (Foreword, p. 5)