Making Place Matter:Livable Communities through Partnerships and Community Engagement

June 14, 2011

ECU’s Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center

Nonprofit Arts and Culture is a $314.8 million industry

Nonprofit Arts & Culture industry supports 10,156 FTE jobs

Nonprofit Art & Culture industry generates $29.4 million in state and local government revenue

(Study by the Oklahoma Arts Council and Americans for the Arts)

Increased enrollment in fine arts majors

Increases in number of local events, tourism

Increased need for before and after show entertainment

Increased traffic Created a vision to have an area

focused on the arts

To provide economic development and enrichment by:• Attracting new businesses;• Attracting tourists;• Keeping dollars locally for dining,

entertainment, galleries, shopping and hotels;

• Improving quality of life;• Enhancing cultural experiences and

community pride;• Supporting local artists and artisans.

USDA grants Engaging the community through grass-roots planning Partnerships

The “Usual Suspects” Allies in Unlikely Places / Hidden Assets

Never Say No Keep at it, and Keep at it, and Keep at it

Sculptors Dancers Painters Writers Singers Songwriters Animators Entertainment

Venues Antique

Dealers Film Makers Book Makers Craftors Architects Cheesemakers Cake

Decorators

Graphic Designers Hobby Shops Music Stores Yoga Studios Recording Studios Bookstores Software

Designers Art Galleries Restaurants/cafes Retailers Creators Manufacturers Web Designers and many, many

more

Café with sidewalk seating Restaurants Art galleries Bakery/bistro Bookstore Museum Artists studio Arts supply shop Music studio Outdoor performance area Outdoor park Pubs/sports bars Movie theater Antique shop Floral/garden shop

Good Idea – 100% Place for festivals – 98% Tourist destination – 97% Business to be open later – 94% Family focused – 91% Serve alcohol – 86%

Preserve architectural style Protect neighborhood feel Create a walk-able area Landscape Mixed use

Documentation and telling everyone

BEFORE AFTER

BEFORE AFTER

BEFORE AFTER

BEFORE AFTER

BEFORE AFTER

BEFORE AFTER

LANDSCAPED PARKING NIGHT VIEW OF PLAZA

MOTORCYCLE EXPO FULL PLAZA

Awards earned from the process and engaging partnerships

International attention of local talent Regional and National speaking

opportunities Other communities have looked at

Ada to replicate the project

Mistrust and perceived hidden agendas

Changing staff Local recognition of assets and

potential Managing desired pace of change

Bridget Forshay – East Central University• bforshay@ecok.edu• (580) 559-5296

Amy Childers Elliott – Tri-County Indian Nations Community Development Coroporation• aelliott@tri-countyok.org• (580) 310-9300