Enhancing the quality of life and economic vitality of rural America through design

Committed to supporting rural America, the Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) helps communities convert their own good ideas into reality.

Architect Jim Leggitt creates sketches for Valentine, NE's Main Street. Photo by Jenny Nixon.

Discussing architectural approaches for Mt. Zion Baptist Church during a workshop in Athens, OH. Photo by Lisbet Portman, To Be Done Studio.

What is the

Citizens’ Institute
on Rural Design?

The Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) is a leadership initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Housing Assistance Council.

Focusing on communities with populations of 50,000 or less, CIRD empowers local citizens to use their unique artistic and cultural resources to guide local development and shape the future design of their communities.

Community members share ideas for Penobscot Avenue during the workshop in Millinocket, ME. Photo by Malorrie Ann Photography.

Cleanup activities along the Gallinas River following a workshop in Las Vegas, NM. Photo courtesy Hermits Peak Watershed Alliance.

Community members in Hidalgo County, TX. Photo by Omar Hakeem.

What we do

CIRD offers competitive funding to host multi-day, community design workshops guided by design, planning, and creative placemaking professionals as well as design-driven peer learning programs and events.

Design Learning Cohorts

Building a network of community leaders engaged in design, across rural America.

Community members discuss their projects at the Design Learning Cohort Summit. Photo by Bella Green.

Touring and talking with local business owners in Thomas, WV, during the Design Learning Cohort Summit. Photo by Bella Green.

Ribbon cutting ceremony at the opening of the Tuttle Rural Innovation Center (TRIC) in Tuttle, ND.

Migrant farm workers in Wasco, CA, discuss affordable housing and community design. Photo by Omar Hakeem.

Local Design Workshops

Supporting small towns and rural communities in addressing local design challenges.

Mural painting in Laramie, WY. Photo courtesy Laramie Main Street.

Learn

Exchanging ideas, resources, and inspiration.

Stories

Explore ideas and experiences

Webinars

See best practices and get inspired

Community resources

Find tools and learn from experts

Featured resources

March 10, 2023

Resources Available to Strengthen Rural Communities through Design and Planning Strategies

Every two years, the NEA seeks rural communities of 50,000 people or less to apply for the CIRD program. With over 30 years of leadership in rural design, CIRD is perfect for creative, community-oriented rural leaders seeking to enhance the quality of life and economic vitality in their communities. Selected applicants emerge from CIRD programs with greater capacity and a wealth of resources to lead their community through current and future design challenges.

March 31, 2023

CIRD Spotlight The Mississippi Delta: Sharing the Blues, Literature, and now Rural Design! —Lessons from Delta Design Build

When the Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) team speaks to thought leaders in rural design across the country, there is unanimous and emphatic praise for Emily Roush-Elliot’s work over the last decade in the Mississippi Delta.

July 27, 2022

Incremental Steps to Big Impact in Frederiksted

CIRD’s May 2022 local design workshop in Frederiksted, St. Croix, focused on reviving and reimagining a historic fish market. But far from being a culminating event or end point, the CIRD workshop is one notable stop along the way to broader community revitalization in this beautiful and historic small town.

On

March 23, 2023

2023 CIRD RFA Information Webinar

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Housing Assistance Council (HAC), with To Be Done Studio (TBD), are excited to announce the Request for Applications (RFA) to the Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design (CIRD).

On

September 28, 2022

CIRD’s Local Design Workshops: Lessons Learned

The Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design showcased our 2021-2022 series of local design workshops with a conversation about lessons learned from all four workshop communities. On September 28, 2022 CIRD celebrated the great work that has taken place over the past year, viewed the final design concepts, and heard from the amazing community leaders and CIRD’s design partner, To Be Done Studio.

Community Resources

Building Momentum for Your Long-Term Vision

Source: CIRD’s Building Momentum for Your Long-Term Vision Webinar. Authors: Emily Schmidt and Jun-Li Wang. This resource guide contains resources and examples of successful community design projects and exemplary storytelling.

The Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) is a leadership initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Housing Assistance Council.