In the 1970s, Burns was one of the wealthiest counties in the state by per capita. Now, it’s near the bottom. They’ve tried everything to turn things around: secondary wood products, agricultural products, restarting the lumber industry.

Now a dedicated group of artists, arts educators and arts supporters think they should try something new: a Performing Arts and Education Center. The group, spearheaded by the Harney County Arts in Education Foundation, organized a symposium in May around the center's potential to drive economic development.

This story ran as part of a bigger show about the love affair between small towns and the arts that also included stops in Mighty Tieton and Joseph. You can hear the whole thing here: http://www.opb.org/radio/programs/stateofwonder/segment/state-of-wonder-august-15-2015-arts-and-small-towns-a-love-story/