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

 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

 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

BEFOREAFTER

BEFOREAFTER

BEFOREAFTER

BEFOREAFTER

BEFOREAFTER

BEFOREAFTER

LANDSCAPED PARKINGNIGHT VIEW OF PLAZA

MOTORCYCLE EXPOFULL 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 (580)  Amy Childers Elliott – Tri-County Indian Nations Community Development Coroporation (580)