Arts District of Ada

1. Arts District of Ada Making Place Matter: Livable Communities through Partnerships and Community Engagement June 14, 2011

2. Opportunity Knocks with a Bulldozer ECU’s Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center

3. Arts and the Economy • 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)

4. Planning for Local Economic Impact of Fine Art Center 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

5. Goals of the Arts District 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.

6. How was this possible? USDA grants Engaging the community through grass-roots planning Partnerships

7. Engage the Community

8. Community Partners • ECU • Tri-County INCDC • Chickasaw Nation • Chamber of Commerce • Ada Main Street • Ada Jobs Foundation • Ada Evening News • City of Ada • Ada Vision Source • Ada Artists Assoc. • Bolitho Ventures • Old Bank Gallery • USDA • ODOT • Interested individuals

9. Use of Committees The “Usual Suspects” Allies in Unlikely Places / Hidden Assets Never Say No Keep at it, and Keep at it, and Keep at it

10. Committee and focus group outcomes

11. What Is Art?

12. 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 Arts Based Businesses

13. Survey - top desired business • 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

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

15. Design and Aesthetics Preserve architectural style Protect neighborhood feel Create a walk-able area Landscape Mixed use

16. Phase 1 Boundary /City Recognized Arts District

17. Development and changes resulting from the process Documentation and telling everyone

18. Arts District of Ada Before after

19. Arts District of Ada Before after

20. Arts District of Ada Before after

21. Arts District of Ada Before after

22. Arts District of Ada Before after

23. Arts District of Ada Before after

24. Arts District of Ada Landscaped parking Night view of plaza

25. Arts District of Ada Motorcycle Expo Full plaza

26. ECU Arts Incubator

27. People have noticed 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

28. Challenges Mistrust and perceived hidden agendas Changing staff Local recognition of assets and potential Managing desired pace of change

29. Contact Us • 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