Department of Public Transformation (DoPT) will share examples of creative building activation projects led by artists and activators to cultivate welcoming, creative, and connective physical places in rural communities. DoPT’s Creative Executive Officer, Ash Hanson and Activate Rural Program Director, Sarina Otaibi, will present key reasons why cities benefit from engaging artists in community asset design and civic engagement by highlighting activation projects ranging from BIPOC and Native-led creative gathering places to a cooperatively owned movie theater and taproom. Session takeaways include asset activation challenges and how Main Street organizations work with artists to remove or address barriers to these challenges.