The very first step for any placemaking strategy involves conversations. But how can we infuse these initial conversations with creativity, purpose, and inclusivity? How do we talk to others in our community and how can we move forward collectively?

Since 2002, an oral historybased theater project called Higher Ground has been at the center of Robert Gipe’s work. Through Higher Ground, Gipe has worked with over seven hundred community members in Harlan County, Kentucky to document the issues that face the county, and over two hundred community residents have participated as cast. Higher Ground productions have been presented at theater festivals, and conferences at various places in the eastern United States and several locations throughout the community.

In 2016, The Smithsonian's CooperHewitt Museum included Higher Ground in its exhibit By The People, an exhibit about exemplary projects that integrate design into work in communities underserved by design and designers. Robert Gipe will share the process of Higher Ground and what it means to host conversations around place, identity, and community.

Then, we will see one creative conversation approach in action as Matt Orley from Big Paper Strategy is on hand to liveillustrate our conference. In this session, Matt will share how he launched Big Paper Strategy and the ways he has seen his illustrations enhance community conversations and conference presentations.

Learn more about Higher Ground: https://www.highergroundinharlan.com/

Learn more about Big Paper Strategy: https://www.bigpaperstrategy.com/

This presentation was shared at the May 2324, 2022 Placemaking in Small and Rural Communities Online Conference. This conference was a cohosted by CEDIK at the University of Kentucky and USDA Rural Development.

Explore the online Rural America Placemaking Toolkit: www.ruralplacemaking.com

Learn more about CEDIK at the University of Kentucky: https://cedik.ca.uky.edu

Learn more about USDA Rural Development: https://www.rd.usda.gov/