Artio Services

PROJECT PURPOSE

This project is designed to boost rural Oklahoma's Creative Economy through Infrastructure and Professional Development. It will provide full-time support in identifying, assessing, and improving arts and cultural establishments across Oklahoma's rural communities, with special consideration for BIPOC populations. Special focus will be placed on improving digital platforms and facilities. In addition, the project will provide professional development programming, specified to creative industries, and will offer mentorship, mobilization, and placement funding for programs, initiatives, and community responses.

EVIDENCE

None

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and Americans for the Arts, the creative economy is a significant business in Oklahoma, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis, the creative sector is among the most impacted industries nationally and in the state. 69% of Black, Indiginous, and creatives of color (BIPOC) report higher rate of unemployment and 60% of white creative workers. Investing in the arts directly improves the health of the broader economy, including boosting tourism, travel, and spending at hotels and restaurants. Without recovery investment, the creative engine and local economies will continue to struggle. This project will provide full-time support in identifying, assessing, and improving arts and cultural establishments across Oklahoma's rural communities, with special consideration for BIPOC populations. Focus will initially be placed on improving digital platforms and facilities, followed by professional development programming support. Specified to creative industries, programming will offer mentorship, mobilization, and placement funding for programs, initiatives, and community responses. A significant return on investment will be reflected with tourism, job creation, tax revenue for the arts and cultural establishments along with surrounding businesses.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

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ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

One-time project will not need continued funding