Sparking Community Spirit Along the Yellowhead Highway 16 Corridor

Nestled in the heart of rural Manitoba, six small towns along the Yellowhead Highway 16 corridor are brimming with potential.

When we travelled to rural Manitoba in September 2024 to work with six towns and villages, we couldn’t help but be inspired ourselves at the wave of enthusiasm that greeted us in Russell, Binscarth, Shoal Lake, Strathclair, Minnedosa, and Neepawa. We were hired to visit these towns, lead daytime walkabouts in the communities to learn about the challenges, and see opportunities to kickstart community-led revitalization. After listening and gathering information, our next step is creating tailored presentations filled with innovative marketing ideas, placemaking, community-building, and public art projects specific to each town.

That's important because each community has its own unique character and charm. Our goal is to ignite passion among local residents and stakeholders, encouraging them to reimagine their towns as vibrant hubs of culture and community… not just for locals but also as a means to seeing the potential for their communities to become destinations.

Placemaking and creative marketing ideas were central themes throughout our evening presentations in the communities. Residents learned the importance of community building through creating inviting public spaces that foster social connections and enhance the overall quality of life. Attendees recognized that the key to successful initiatives lies in collaboration and engagement. By bringing together diverse groups — business owners, artists, and local leaders — the groundwork was laid for seeing new opportunities.

The towns quickly grasped how art can serve as a catalyst for change and expression. Local artists and community members brainstormed our ideas for town-specific murals, sculptures, and interactive installations that reflect their unique identities and stories.

As we wrapped up our week-long work in the Yellowhead Highway 16 corridor region, the excitement was palpable. Each community walked away with actionable ideas and a renewed sense of purpose. We also gave the towns specific ‘challenges’. These special challenges are designed to get towns doing immediate actions based on our recommendations. Tip: See below what Neepawa, Manitoba did less than three weeks after our visit!

The potential for growth along the Yellowhead Highway 16 corridor is immense. With the enthusiasm sparked by our visit, we know these six communities are poised to become shining examples of small-town revitalization in rural Manitoba. By embracing innovative marketing, placemaking, community-building, and public art, they are crafting a vibrant future that honours their heritage while inviting new opportunities.

Psst! Keep an eye on Russell, Binscarth, Shoal Lake, Strathclair, Minnedosa, and Neepawa — they are just getting started!

Challenge Recommendation Case Study

One of our challenges to the town of Neepawa, Manitoba was to immediately enhance a section of the downtown that was boarded up. The town, with the help of high school arts students, took action and accepted the challenge in less than three weeks after our visit! Now it's a go-to spot for street art!