Oklahoma: New Cultural Districts Program

Artists perform during the monthly First Friday Gallery Walk, an event that draws thousands of people to Oklahoma City’s Paseo Arts District. Photo courtesy of Joel Gavin, Oklahoma Arts Council

Like many statewide cultural district programs, the Oklahoma Arts Council‘s (OAC) Cultural District Initiative aims to help communities identify and leverage their creative assets for economic growth and community vibrancy. Unlike most other statewide cultural district programs, however, there is no legislatively set policy behind OAC’s effort. Without a legislative mandate, OAC was able to design the program as it saw fit and so chose a two-track approach. The program’s Cultural District Development component provides guidance and grants to local communities trying to establish a district. Grants may be used for professional consulting, marketing and operating expenses, and the salary of a cultural district coordinator. In addition, OAC requires participating communities to form and work with a diverse committee of arts and community leaders to foster their distinct character and creative industries. The program’s second component, the guidelines of which are being designed, will be OAC certification of individual cultural districts, which will confer eligibility for various benefits not available to uncertified districts. Contact OAC Community Arts Director Joshua Lunsford to find out more.