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Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1841-1874
Date Available
5-4-2026
Year of Publication
2026
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
College
Fine Arts
Department/School/Program
Arts Administration
Faculty
Rachel Shane
Faculty
Anthony Rhine
Faculty
Jill Schinberg
Abstract
In rural Appalachia, longstanding patterns of extractive economic development, coupled with limited public investment and uneven institutional support, have contributed to persistent economic stagnation and a diminished sense of pride among residents. These conditions reflect deeper structural challenges, including economies shaped by resource extraction and external control. Addressing these conditions is critical to fostering economic growth, promoting cultural heritage, and enhancing overall well-being in the region. By cultivating resilient communities, leaders can create environments in which both the economy and local pride can thrive, contributing to a more prosperous and unified Appalachian region.
This study investigates the organizational and leadership strategies needed to create environments conducive to developing creative spaces and cultural policy initiatives in Central Appalachia, with a focus on Morehead, Kentucky, during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
This research uses an ethnographic approach that incorporates multiple data sources, including interviews, site observations, and document analysis. Narrative data provide insight into leadership processes and decision-making that led to the establishment of the Battson-Oates Drive entertainment district in downtown Morehead. Open Systems Theory guides the analysis, which organizes findings into three themes: people, community, and government.
The findings suggest that Morehead has taken significant steps toward sustainable, community-centered development through strategic leadership and policymaking. Creative placemaking does not merely illustrate Open Systems Theory; it extends it by demonstrating how openness, feedback, and leadership operate within complex sociocultural environments.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2026.138
Archival?
Archival
Recommended Citation
Hobbs, Toni C., "Leadership and Creative Placemaking In Central Appalachia: Morehead, Kentucky" (2026). Theses and Dissertations--Arts Administration. 9.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/arts_admin_etds/9
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