What words describe your passion
for this place we call home?
Home
Land
Ojibwe/Anishanaabe
Community
Water
Home
Fresh Air
Co-Dependency
Collaboration
Small
Quite, but happening
Community
Water-Big Lake
Isolated
Happiness
Inspiring
The Humane size (don’t get
too big!)
When you think about
our natural world…..
What do you love about Cook County?
What are the unique elements of our identity?
Waterfalls
Clean water
Fresh air
Water
Air
Sawtooth mountains
Not the city
Pure water, lots of it
Calm, beauty, personal
Clean water, Lake Superior, lots artists
Paddling pristine lakes
Skiing backwoods trails—we’re so Lucky!
Trees and trails
Lake-woods-animals all within our “neighborhood
Mother superior
Ancient bedrock, amazing geological history
10% of the world’s fresh water in Lake Superior
More waterfalls and state parts than any other part of the region.
Yes! Protection/stewarding our natural resources for future generations.
Economics have risen and fallen here (fishing/logging/trading_. The important
part is the people survive and thrive. Arts & culture have an equal footing with
other economies.
Vistas
If you are stuck in a big city it takes more effort to clear your head and find
inspiration—here you can just walk a few blocks to see woods, rocks, lake.
An opportunity to protect and care for the natural (water, plants, animals) and with
that opportunity comes responsibility. So any plan for future must include our
partnership with the environment.
When you think about
our deep history…..
What do you love about Cook County?
What are the unique elements of our identity?
George Morrison – was from here and became internationally famous
--Hazel Belvo
--Briand Morrison
Paul Granlund
Lake Superior has always been beautiful
Fresh air
Individual trials and success
The flora and fauna of the boreal forest
The heritage of the early settlers, native Americans, fur trade
The hard working people from here—from the first peoples to early settlers to
those with 2-3 jobs to stay here
The people
Lake and woods
The soul of the place – and how it connects to the souls of individuals
The natural environment; THE Lake (Superior) and all nearby waterways
The arts and music
A unique culture with the environment at its heart
Being remote limits our access to consumer goods. We make stuff sometimes
instead of buying 
Rural and yet progressive
Generations and tradition
Smart thinking out of these people
The peoples’ stories
Voyageurs
There is room to try things and make our own. And we are getting known for it.
Diversity. Hearing a broader view of history—Ojibwe, Anishanaabe have lived
here since time immemorial. People who have come before us who leave us a
legacy and what we do with this is Vital. Pass it on to future generations. Make
new traditions as well.
Needing to hear other artists’ narrative—how they did make their life.
If you want to do video/audio interviews to collect artists’ stories, I would
volunteer to facilitate. Rose Arrowsmith Decoux.
When you think about our creative
wealth of artists and culture…..
What do you love about Cook County?
What are the unique elements of our identity?
A community accepting of individuality (supportive even)
Like minded
The variety
All aspects of art are represented: theater, visual, video, photography, music, etc.
I’m proud that we have more cultural events than anyone can attend
Re-creation every day
Artists are everywhere!
The people
Lots of people from other places come here and keep us “fresh”
Mutual support of artists
Artists are positively influencing everyone in our community—even when they don’t realize it
Elevates one cultural experience for such a small town
Safe spaces to share story and learn together, recognizing who is at the table and inviting them to give a
voice to the themselves
Artists…all people staying authentic—not catering overly to tourist traps!
Lots of collaboration and “yes” from venues (like WTIP)
The art of making and making do is honored and nurtured. Art is functional and practical as well as
decorative and enriching.
When you think about our rural
sense of place and commitment to
healthy alternatives…..
What do you love about Cook County?
What are the unique elements of our identity?
Community of introverts
Protect
Activities: hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, etc.
People love this place with passion—whether for one day or 100 years!
The people
The lake, the woods, the trails of all types
Natural spaces and proximity to virtually pristine wilderness and access to lake
shore, parks, protected for public use
Room for everyone
The small, welcoming towns
Multi-generational connections
The wilderness surrounds us
Openness to alternative thought and resources (complementary health care
providers) -- someone adds ***YES!
We don’t need to consume plastic junk or bad TV—we make music and art and tell
stories.
HEALING ARTS—someone adds ***YES!
Co-ops, farm to table, CSAs, local food, healthy food
Buy Local
An appreciation of what surrounds us . . . it is just more difficult to ignore the
abundance here.
Willingness to try new and different ways of doing things.
*collaboration across diverse professionals/backgrounds that promotes learning
and growing together
Respect for all: --living things;--water; --earth; --animals
Interconnectedness
Awareness of our humanity and the stewardship we have to these resources—
someone adds ***YES! (cause and effect)
Expressing artistic lifestyles and telling the story of how people live hear
--natural beauty
Natural beauty. People come to see the beauty, partake in activities that involve
this (i.e. hike, ski, canoe.
Keep it quaint. Control development—keep it attractive. Limit development of
land to what is necessary—make it inviting.
Tourists like amenities, but keep them local. No big box.
What Ideas do you have—large or
small—to build on the strength of
arts and culture as a means to
strengthen Cook County as a whole?
Submitted written responses:
Abby Tofte: I love and hope to preserve the hometown pride of Cook County. We are distinct int hat we
are a world class vacation destination where people not only live and work, we are a county where people
and families are born and raised in a truly unique and beautiful environment.
I hope that businesses and non-profits continue to support the “local” aspect of their organizations. I
completely understand that it is not only necessary but vital to the survival of many organizations to hire
employees from all over the state, country and world. However, I also think it’s equally important to
appreciate and pursue a little homegrown flavor in the mix, too.
I often think about how lucky we all are to have two stellar “born and raised” locals in such important
roles at the Cook County Visitor’s Bureau. I truly think that those two women understand our county and
history in a way that many do not and could not without growing up here. I am not saying everyone on
the Visit Cook County staff should be homegrown, I think that could be a mistake. I just think it would
be a mistake to not have a born and raised local on the team. Whether it be on staff or serving on your
board, I hope we remember that there is value in our county’s deep roots.
Kristin DeArruda Wharton: I really love the idea of an artist housing focus. I think it could provide a
model for housing that is sorely missing righ now. I’d love to see a small collection of case studies of
artist housing in our community. What people have done over the years to make it work. The successes:
co-living, build your own, motels turned rental units, yurts as a stepping stone to saving for a traditional
home, long-term rental agreements, contracts for deed, purchasing land together and then subdividing,
etc. And then build on that to find policy-level solutions and create a bigger system (of course, begger
meaning still quite small in our community) for folks to access housing options. Do you have info on
where artists are living now, geographically and also in what types of housing? I’m interested in learning
more about free and sharable online mapping platforms for mapping health data….
Living and thriving is an individual’s art-formcultivated through commitment to a place and a community
If you could market this, all else would follow . . .
Carol DeSain, The Tamarack Group – North Shore, LLC
hi friends, I'm sorry I won't be attending the Voyageur event tonight, but here are my thoughts on the
questions that Sharon Rodning Bash sent out in her email: I think that first and foremost, we must protect
and enhance the natural features of Grand Marais and Cook County that make it so appealing: the harbor,
the Big Lake, the BWCAW, Superior National Forest, and so on. If we allow too much or the wrong kind
of development and signage, or degradation of our natural resources, people will be less likely to come
here no matter how great our arts opportunities are.
We need to regularly track and publicize the significant dollar value of the arts to the county’s economy,
so that the whole community sees and accepts it as a vital part of our economy. I know many people
already realize this—and we need to spread the word to even more people so they’ll support policy and
infrastructure decisions that benefit the arts economy.
We must maintain and even improve the welcoming and open spirit of our community so that people
from diverse backgrounds and places feel comfortable visiting. Also, Grand Marais and Cook County
must feel accessible and aesthetically pleasing so that it’s truly a place that people want to spend time.
I’m thinking walking and biking paths, good public rest facilities, a broader range of lodging options, etc.
Looking forward to seeing the work of this high-powered group!
:) Ann Possis
Don't forget about the aging population as we think about the arts economy. Arts keep seniors
vital. Vital living is essential for senior well being. Seniors also need younger persons for care and
assistance. Cook County needs affordable live / work space for younger adults as well as vibrant
seniors. It's a circle. Patricia A. Hvidston
Session brainstorm responses:
Exchange of meaning and culture, traditions, sharing knowledge/skills across cultures. Vital to a people,
group or nation. Example, Lefse and Wild rice.
Walkability.
Make art center on old zip line property. Create/showcase.
NEED QUIETER BARS!!!
Directory of artists and their medium
Opportunities for our artists to mentor others…future artists (*****)
Inspiration tours
How about a yearly theme…rocks/feelings, etc.
Events/involvement for participants
Zone to keep private land as natural as possible—people may own land but do not have to develop all of
it.
Affordable housing is important—plan it in minimal space
--can second homes be taxed more than just non-homestead? Do it on a sliding scale as they become
more expensive.
Robotics with Native America—Get Grand Portage involved.
Get kids involved—engine for energy
Small community allows us to do big things
Broadband brings global ideas and access to enhance
Life-changing is Lake—being by the big water. The moods. Annishinabe/ spiritual aspects of it.
Being here in this community changed my life—want others to feel this sacred thing, rejuvenation
Develop a local foundation for the arts—encourage donations, bequests, etc.
Perhaps a listing of people willing to host artists or students for workshops/classes
What about a local business for selling art from local artists—those who have not made the Sivertson’s
cut? PD employees, etc.
We need to import or create a junior college for the arts. Perhaps combined with forestry? J-term classes
to start off?
History of county is important—should be part of attracting tourists to area – if overdeveloped, history is
lost. Involve some of the long term residents.
How to connect in Grand Portage and Thunder Bay – Sell art there
Build relationship with artist
Mentor/apprentice stay for longer time. Immerse in nature.
Clothesline art for beginner display
Incubator space for artists—Joan Drury writer example; work/exhibit/sell safe space
Attract conferences using nature/beauty theme and tie in art “works”. Ecoart/tourism.
Artist cohorts like Bquick early days to draw people in
Get a “face” for ART – character/personal connection
Housing/inspiration
Artist B&B—establish connections for artists to stay in city/GM as exchange—housing for brief periods
Infrastructure –SOUND – better sound acoustics for meeting, music
Add in food to art theme. Also garden clubs, etc.
Training the visual eye
Artists need to put skin in the game, too. Need to step up and listen to business
Promote an arts commission – County / city
We need an arts website—artist listing, services, events
Public art
Need an outdoor performance venue. Outdoor band shell or tent show venue.
Promotion of art classes throughout the county.
Attract repeat artists with advanced course
Cairn Year—build rocks everybody participates.
Public voice in the county for art so people can see county and art together
Cross-Cultural Experiences.—across art forms, across, countries (we need a sister city/town)—state and
national
What we can make and export to build jobs
Approach local outfitters to donate a cabin for a week or a couple weeks each year to an artist. Give them
the experience. Be generous. (and provide art for the outfitter in return)
Money is not a swear word
ART RENDEVZOUS!
Business classes specific to artists—learn Bread & Butter pieces to sell and support themselves—“Artist
to Artist”
Look at existing structures/spaces to repurpose for studios etc. such as garages/spare rooms. Make space
available.
Creative ways to hold conferences without a big building—like the writers’ conference
Get more local art in lodging establishments
Art mentorship programs with Nationally recognized artists
Start a packaging center to mail/send artists’ work. This would create a full time job for somebody. An
on-line arts distribution center.
Consider a relationship with Hi-Hostel International for affordable housing easily found by international
visitors seeking lower pricepoint (they market/manage internationally for locally owned space).
Need more and better ways/storefronts/for local artists to sell and display their art. This will draw people
here.
J-Term project promotion.
A combo of Etsy/Gallery and C.C. artists
ACA as a convention center. We need a space for conferences here.
Diversify economy beyond arts, culture and tourism
Let the value, narrative, and tradition drive the economy—NOT the product of tourism.
Get grant to support a web host/designer to manage the site—arts@boreal. Artist database, jobs, etc.
Study Santa Fe. They determined in 1917 to make ART the economic engine for their community. They
built the NM Museum of Art in 1917. They carved out old canyon road as a lead gallery area. They
designated the plaza and daily shows of local arts. They encouraged Georgia O’Keefe to come and stay.
Artists followed. They embraced David Bradly whose art mentor was George Morrison of Grand
Portage, etc. etc.
WRANGLE housing issue. Specials at hotels?
Lists of artists in Cook county on Visit cook County site with links to their web sites.
The arts—art colony, north house have contributed significantly to economy of local businesses
How to keep downtown businesses open year round so it doesn’t look like a ghost town all winter.
Need for housing/studio space for artists and visiting artists/directors/musicians to come here and create
Outdoors theater/movies in space between Sivertson’s and Blue Water
Art shows that create community awareness & social change (i.e prison art shows hosted by Pie Place)
Preserve existing art in area (i.e. Lyle S………)
Create a “written story” of our area relative to arts and culture (someone in the area to write it) and artists
to illustrate it
The shirts off our backs
Artists design fabric
We make a standard shirt—like Hawaiian shirt—with variations
We all wear them at the same time and
People can ask us questions, etc.
We auction the shirts online
The proceeds go into a fund for supporting the community
Also sell the shirts
Artist design a Grand Marais or Cook County show and do the same thing ala Bucket Feet for charity.
Bring art into community “cello on every corner” Shakespeare in the Park
Use local news outlets – give them leads / story /ideas / invite local news people to all events “feed them”
Artists buy gallery in cities to sell art—rotate art/area/website/support artist in marketing
How about affordable art also
Cook county “sales agent” to represent artists
Music! Makes everything better. Work with music collaborative.
When it moved from being about the artists and moved into economy. Don’t want it to be spiffied and
packaged. Economy can’t be the business and music then the Artists’ collaboration equals the good.
Don’t reinvent the wheel. Millennials and visitors are experienced-based what can we do to add more
people?
Life is the art. You can be a doctor and do it well. You can be a _________ and do it well.
Tourism economy—art retail ties to relationships
How to hear individual artist stories
How did you make it work
About the details of the life including being a parent, community member
People working multiple jobs, multiple identities
Is it networking?
Artists operating at all tiers; how to maintain that? We are lucky to have the layers?
Arts as inclusive—how to get more people to see themselves?
Retail space, commissions at galleries. How can there be a more CRAFT access through a retail venue
that is separate from NHFS for example.
Art of retail as art
Lack of craft retail because of space and commission, etc.
Volatile market of retail – art/craft
General underuse of the internet and online marketing
Locally made but on the internet
How can there be a presence that is supported?
Local people getting jobs, because people from all over the country are being recruited to work here
Tension and fear around that issue
Affordability issues – schools, healthcare, mental health, etc. People have to be able to survive in order
to make arts.
Worry about diluting of resources going into support for venues. Spreading of Money.
Existing spaces be more flexible. How can things be used in the “off Season”?
Challenge of holding onto authenticity in branding
Critical mass of arts momentum but not too shiny/polished. A little grit to make the arts happen.
The people doing the ART are the draw
People who grow up here don’t have the opportunity to participate/excel in the arts here and ten make a
living in the art here.
People have moved in and brought things to the arts
Door county artists—North Artists. Marketing.
Google reviews. Trip Advisor.
Music collaborative. Website center place. Listening room. Grandmas Days. Performance Venues with
appropriate stages and acoustics. Public House collaborative. Spread out the $$ to local artists.
Airstream Stage such as Austin.
Get input from School board Arts Center. No one from the school was at tonight’s meeting.
Talk to school board about using the football field for events such as art fair type or concerts.
C county needs inexpensive housing for students, like a hostel. North House, Art colony, etc., would
benefit. Playhouse would love to have acting/directing classes but housing costs make it too expensive.
More workshops and seminars for writers
Need affordable housing to attract young people to the community
How about a poet laureate of Cook County and/or poet-in-residence?
Don’t alienate locals—we don’t want to forget those that aren’t usual suspects
House painters under artisan class in France. So many people are doing artful thins but don’t consider
themselves as artists or value them
Tap Yarrow Corf. His Trandfather did Beaverhouse and did library Bear Statue. Very innovative for
anything
Need Cook County Arts website to purchase art/softward to list art for art purchases. Photography of art
for site. An online presence for artists from Cook co. would be great. Listings, sales, resources, stories,
etc.
Artist study, spend, make, link