A new nonprofit, Teton River Arts and Commerce, wants to build connections between the arts and local businesses in Rexburg.

Teton River Arts and Commerce began in June. Its director, Emily Miller, has lived in Rexburg for 10 years with her family. She started this nonprofit to support the arts organizations and artists in the community. The goal is to give the community more things to participate in, give artists a way to share their talents, and help businesses connect with potential clients.

“We believe in arts and business working together to help each other grow and to promote one another, because we think that when arts and business come together, it’s beneficial for everyone,” Miller said.

Miller previously worked for Rexburg Arts and has been involved with Rexburg’s Chamber of Commerce. She noticed there was a lack of structure for cooperation from businesses when she would plan events for the arts.

“We had to start from scratch every single time if we wanted to invite businesses to participate in an event we were planning,” Miller said. “We were sitting down to figure out what are we going to offer the business and what are we going to ask from the business.”

During this process, Miller wished there was an established organization that made this process easier. That’s where the idea for Teton River Arts and Commerce was born.

Miller said the nonprofit has a lot of enthusiasm and support from a lot of the right people. Its website offers three different memberships and so far, they have 26 members.

The nonprofit wants to offer community education such as theater classes, creative writing, cooking classes, or language classes. Several businesses have reached out and offered the use of their space to hold classes for the community.

“Whatever skills people have that they can teach, we want to give them opportunities to be able to do that,” Miller said.

Teton River Arts and Commerce Vice President Rick Robinson is a local business owner. His business, Real Estate Two70, is passionate about sponsoring the arts. He said for businesses, supporting the arts is great exposure.

“We want this to be something that is really good for them. Something that will feel worthwhile, that it’ll come back to them to support their business, too,” Miller said.

Robinson has a desire for the arts to come alive in Rexburg.

“Everything Rexburg has done with the arts has been awesome, we just kind of want to take it to the next level and help it gain even more momentum,” Robinson said.

The arts are one of the main things that bring a community together, Miller added. She believes there are so many talented and artistic people in the community and wants to give them the opportunity to be able to express themselves and share their knowledge.

“For a lot of people, especially youth, the arts can be the place they feel accepted,” Miller said. “It really adds to the overall quality of life.”

Teton River Arts and Commerce is very interested in bringing back the Idaho International Dance Festival to Rexburg. Miller said anyone who is interested in volunteering or donating to the festival can email her at hello@tetonriverarts.org.

For more information on Teton River Arts and Commerce, visit www.tetonriverarts.org.