Oklahoma Philharmonic Society, Inc.

PROJECT PURPOSE

The OKCPHIL is respectfully requesting funding to help our organization recover and rebuild from the detrimental long-term negative impact the ongoing pandemic has had on our industry. When the pandemic began, the OKCPHIL was forced to reinvent every aspect of our operations and the way we serve our State. During this time, we lost over almost $1.5 million due to loss of ticket sales, sponsors not returning, and donors not being able to give. With 60% of our budget coming from donations and sponsorships, we had to adjust our entire budget to keep our doors open and people employed. The OKCPHIL will use these funds over the coming years to ensure an efficient recovery and sustainable outcome to maintain our impact in the community. Our existence, both economically and artistically, brings business to downtown OKC on performance nights, increases the quality of life in OKC, and attracts and employs world-class musicians who also work in our schools, universities, and churches. The OKCPHIL will take an annual distribution from these funds, with the amount decreasing annually to establish independency from this single source. This support will allow the OKCPHIL to recover, rebuild, and continue to serve our community in many ways.

EVIDENCE

At the height of the pandemic, the OKCPHIL was one of 23% of American Orchestras able to operate and perform for a live audience. Based on national research, many professional orchestras had to close their doors due to decreased ticket sales. Normally, these ticket sales make up 40% of our total revenue, and during the pandemic that decreased to 19%. To ensure financial feasibility that allowed us to continue our mission, the OKCPHIL decreased its expenses by 21%. As OKCPHIL recovers, we look forward to restoring the level of artistic excellence to our performances and programs offered to our community.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

During our 2020-21 Season, the OKCPHIL was forced to reimagine all aspects of its operations. We took this time to significantly expand our Education and Community Engagement programs to provide inclusive and accessible opportunities for everyone in the community. A notable achievement was the OKCPHIL?s first-ever virtual Youth Concert that impacted over 7,000 students in 45 title I public schools throughout the State. Every year Oklahoma schools anticipate our annual Youth Concerts where the OKCPHIL will bring students to the Civic Center and share high-caliber concerts and provide educators with curriculum and professional-development opportunities for FREE. Another partnership we have cultivated amidst the pandemic is providing the staff and patients at OU Health with various performances, both virtual and live, to serve this community that has been severely impacted by the pandemic. Additionally, the OKCPHIL?s new partnership with Scissortail Park has allowed us to provide three accessible and FREE outdoor community concerts to bring levity to our community during these uncertain times and we aim to provide many more! The OKCPHIL recognizes that the future of arts organizations, on a national level, is embedded within our communities and we strive to provide diverse and accessible programming for all Oklahomans.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

The OKCPHIL will measure and assess our recovery as our balanced budget returns to the trajectory our organization was on. Our operating budget was reduced to what it was during the 2007-08 Season, now the OKCPHIL has to make up the loss of 14 years. As our budget is restored, the OKCPHIL will measure success with various metrics including ticket-sales, audience attendance, people served, and community support through sponsorships and individual donations. As we recover, we will remain committed to serving our mission, as we continue to bring diverse programming and offer accessible educational opportunities to everyone in our community.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma