What is Rural School of Economics (RSoE)?
The Rural School of Economics (RSoE) is Myvillages’ nomadic, collaborative and trans-local platform that connects rural communities and art initiatives through peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, cultural co-production and place-based activities.
We view the rural as a trans-local identity and identifier that links distant places through shared concerns. Many of us come from rural backgrounds, have made our home in the arts and seek to connect the two. The school moves between rural places, everyday spaces and art environments, navigating both formal and informal settings. It also exists here, on this website.
Multilingual ‣ Intergenerational ‣ Trans-rural ‣ Context-responsive ‣ Transdisciplinary
The RSoE was launched in 2022 by Myvillages co-founders Kathrin Böhm (UK/DE) and Wapke Feenstra (NL) following three years of field research. The RSoE is a continuation of Myvillages’ ongoing work to build lasting structures for trans-local community learning, and started with the Eco Nomadic School (2012–2018).
RSoE is self-organized and arrives in each location by invitation from someone local. The network of the RSoE includes village committees, farmers associations, regional scientists, international artists and art institutions, museums etc.. Activities range from communal meals and workshops to market stalls and ongoing artistic or research projects. Since its inception, the RSoE has initiated projects across Europe, while maintaining connections that extend far beyond.
Learning by Doing & Commoning
Classes of learning and unlearning happen in the same places that rural culture and economies are made: in small businesses, in kitchens, in fields, in streets and in community halls. We want to notice, learn and make more visible the embedded and more-than-human nature of rural culture and everyday economies. It is done through walking, handling, touching, drawing, editing, cooking, eating, showing and listening together. This allows for also non-linguistic and learning by doing, more-than-human knowledge to be shared as well. All participants take on the roles of both learner and teacher at different times.