The secret to rejuvenating small towns

While small downtowns struggle all over the country, why does downtown Bryan flourish? Community members and city officials have made huge strides over the last few decades in integrating art appreciation and participation into many aspects of community development.

Professor of agricultural economics at Purdue University Rhonda Phillips published an article in the Oxford University Press and Community Development Journal 2004 which outlined successes in community development.

According to Phillips, communities can use the arts as a base of support for community-wide revitalization. Artistic development can serve as a central theme to build the community plan around.

According to Phillips, the arts can be a valuable asset when boosting a struggling community. Art can be integrated into almost any local government program. The city of Bryan has used this strategy to rebuild the community culture.

Building character

Current artist-in-residence Devin Cogger has only lived in Bryan for about a year, but he understands the impact of the arts on the town.

“It leaves people with the impression that there’s character and there’s flavor to this town,” Cogger said, “it’s more like meeting a person.”

“In a way you’re vicariously getting to know people in the town by seeing this work that they’ve produced, this art,” Cogger said.

Cogger said the Arts Council of Brazos County helps fund the artist-in-residence program that supports him.

“The goals of this residency are to bring the artist in for a year to provide them with financial support, space, and time to produce a body of work and build their portfolio,” Cogger said.

Longtime resident and landscape and still life painter Greta Watkins watched the emergence of Bryan Art from the front row.

“Downtown has been in such a great upswing.” Watkins said, “the city launched a master plan to redevelop downtown in about 2000, so since they’ve started doing that all kinds of wonderful things have happened.”

Watkins has participated in the Bryan arts council and the art community for decades. She has strongly supported the city in its community development programs.

“Several years ago, we applied for a cultural arts district designation from the state of Texas,” Watkins said, “and we got that for downtown.”

Watkins said the amount of participation from artists and the general public makes her very happy, and she hopes it will continue to grow.

“We’ve been fostering art downtown for quite a while,” Watkins said, “and First Friday and Third Thursday have been a part of that.

Fostering interest

Watkins said First Friday was Bryans first big success in community revitalization.

The event centers more on the performing arts than the visual arts. Local musicians play in many of the bars and restaurants up and down downtown Bryan.

Every month, the celebration brings many students from College Station. Cogger said this younger population that Bryan borrows from its sister city contributes to the success of this program.

“That brings a lot of those students down here,” Cogger said, “and of course they love to go to the pubs and food trucks.”

Cogger said participation often fluctuates, but support remains.

“As far as monthly events, I’d say those have nice consistency and they, you know, in the past they’ve dwindled off a little bit too but right now they’re doing pretty well,” Cogger said.

Similar to First Friday, Bryan started a program that takes place on the third Thursday of every month and focuses more on the visual arts. The downtown-wide art show showcases the work of local artists and gives them the opportunity to connect with the community on a personal level.

“I’m on the map for Third Thursday as Bryan artist-in-residence,” Cogger said, “it’s a way to see whats new and hot and fresh for arts.”

At this event, Cogger opens his studio residence doors to the public and talks to them about his work.

“It’s kind of like an open house,” Cogger said, “they come in and I answer questions and show what I’ve been working on.”

Watkins displayed her work in this most recent Third Thursday. Her paintings of figurines in unexpected situations covered the walls of The Village Café as she chatted with interested enthusiasts.  

Cogger said small businesses like The Village Café have impacted the Bryan arts movement immensely.

“They end up being a big part in the kind of festivals and downtown events,” Cogger said, “It’s just like they’re one of the characters and character spots.”

Cogger said the city recently received federal funding to establish a historical district in downtown Bryan. Portions of this funding could be used to secure the future of Bryan culture as well as art.

“I’m hopeful for the future of downtown and the arts,” Watkins said.

Purposeful support of the arts has unlocked Bryan’s recent revival. Although governments often find difficulty allocating funds to art programs, they serve a vital role in keeping small towns thriving.