It’s vital that communities continue promoting the arts despite having experienced terrible disasters.

That was the thought promoted during the recent Rexburg visit of the National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Mary Anne Carter

Carter met with City of Rexburg Cultural Arts Director Platt who told her all about the community’s resilience and recovery following the horrifying Teton Dam Disaster of June 5, 1976.  

“An area of focus for the National Endowment for the Arts is improving access to resources before, during and after disasters for the arts field,” stated a National Endowment for the Arts in a press release.  

Carter also visited the city’s iconic Tabernacle currently in the process of being renovated, it said.  

“Severely damaged in the flood, the former house of worship was saved and rebuilt through a community-wide effort,” reported the press release. “Today, it serves as a community center and performance venue—and a lasting symbol of Rexburg’s resilience.”  

At the “Just Add water” commemorative flood exhibit on display at Rexburg City Hall, Carter read personal stories from survivors following the disaster. Officials pointed out the 11 shovels on display meant to honor those who died during the flood. Carter later visited Brigham Young University-Idaho where she viewed the “Higher Ground” 1976 Flood Collection. The collection holds a large repository of photos, interviews, and first-person accounts of the disaster, it said.  

“Together, these efforts reflect Rexburg’s commitment to preserving its history while ensuring that the stories of loss, resilience, and recovery are carried forward to future generations,” said the press release. “The experience of the people of Rexburg demonstrates clearly how artistic expression, performance, and collaboration can bring a community together in the effort to heal after a disaster.” 

One message was clear during the visits to the theater, tabernacle, flood museum and BYU-Idaho.

“The arts served as a bridge, connecting people, preserving collective memory, and helping the community recover and move forward together,” stated the press release.  

Arts Idaho and Rexburg Cultural Arts also oversaw a meeting between Carter and Congressman Mike Simpson. During the meeting, they talked about how important it is to continue the arts throughout the country, it said.  

“They spoke about the critical role the Arts Endowment plays in funding arts initiatives in cities, suburbs and rural communities across the country, including in Idaho, ensuring that access to and the benefits of arts funding are available throughout the nation – no matter the location,” said the press release.  

Carter later visited Idaho State University in Pocatello where she met with Dr. Diana Livingston Friedly, Associate Chair of Music. Friedly gave Carter a tour of the university’s arts venues. Following Carter’s visit to the Gate City, she stopped in Shelley where she met with Daniel Borup, a sculptor who has applied for and received grants via the Idaho Arts Commission, it said.  

“Borup shared his collection of sculpture projects in his studio as well as his work on a commission for the State of Florida commemorating the service members killed in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Lebanon,” stated the press release.  

Carter’s visit showed how all forms of art help communities heal from traumatic events as well as telling the histories and narratives.

“From the story of Rexburg’s recovery from the Teton Dam flood to Idaho’s vibrant university arts programs and the work of an individual sculptor, the visit demonstrated how the arts help communities tell their stories—and carry them forward into the future.” 

For more information on the National Endowment of the Arts visit www.arts.gov/.