Could An Arts Center Be Harney County's Salvation?
b'In the 1970s, Burns was one of the wealthiest counties in the state by per capita. Now, it\\u2019s near the bottom. They\\u2019ve tried everything to turn things around: secondary wood products, agricultural products, restarting the lumber industry.
Now a dedicated group of artists, arts educators and arts supporters think they should try something new: a Performing Arts and Education Center. The group, spearheaded by the Harney County Arts in Education Foundation, organized a symposium in May around the center\'s potential to drive economic development.
This story ran as part of a bigger show about the love affair between small towns and the arts that also included stops in Mighty Tieton and Joseph. You can hear the whole thing here: http://www.opb.org/radio/programs/stateofwonder/segment/state-of-wonder-august-15-2015-arts-and-small-towns-a-love-story/'