The Arts in Guthrie! It’s not just an organization, it’s not just an office or email address, it’s EVERYWHERE!!! Look around you the next time you are downtown, ARTS ARE EVERYWHERE!!! Whether in our stunning architecture, our museums and galleries, glass blowing or fiddle lessons, performance venues on every street, or GPS gaining accolades for performances and creations across the region, Guthrie is built on an Arts Economy! It is my belief that our next stimulus for economic growth is coming from the arts sector.
Arts patrons are ready to commit and arts-based tourism is growing across the country, and particularly in our region. I think that we are tired of exporting our talent to the northwest or California; we need to provide opportunities right here and bring all of those other folks to us!! The Arts in Guthrie has contracted with Americans for the Arts to do an economic impact study specifically of the effect of Guthrie’s arts economy. It will be over a year-long process that will measure the amount of money flows through the community by way of our nonprofit arts venues and events. The last time a study of this type was undertaken was well over a decade ago and only took into account the impact of The Pollard Theatre. At that time it was estimated that there was approximately a million dollars yearly impact on the community through that single venue! By having a current impact study conducted by such a respected entity we will have hard numbers to show people who are interested in investing in Guthrie, bringing new businesses, venues, artists, and residents to our community. The study will also aid businesses and organizations when looking for grants and funding from outside sources to continue the good work that they do. It is something that will benefit the entire community, and The Arts in Guthrie is happy to provide it for you!
There are large investors looking at Guthrie constantly to find some way to invest and become part of what appears from the outside to be a town on the verge of another big boom. Just this week I ran into a good friend, a banker from OKC, walking down Oklahoma Ave. When I asked him what he was doing he said that he was looking for investment property. He had looked at one of the large buildings downtown – after somewhat of a struggle getting a response from the realtor on the phone and email – and he was very impressed! He was shocked that the “loft space” wasn’t all occupied downtown, and that there were so many empty storefronts. (So am I) I reassured him that it’s a process and that we are on the upswing, showed him a couple of other options, and left him still walking down the street looking around in amazement. These are the people who will bring vitality to downtown, and by extension, to the entire community!
More Big News!!! Our website is going LIVE on December 1, 2015!!!! Please check it out at www.theartsinguthrie.org. With our website we will be able to allow artists to add events to our calendar, provide information for a registry of local artists of all types, learn about opportunities for employment outside of our local area, and create an online gallery to share their work. Others will be able to check out events, performances, openings, and will also be able to find local artists to hire for their own events. Another great feature is that donors will be able to make contributions directly through a secure site.
The Arts in Guthrie is here to benefit GUTHRIE! We know that in order for our arts community to prosper, Guthrie has to prosper. Our main objectives are:
•Arts District Development
•Economic Development
•Community Building
•Education
Join us as we work to make sustainable community-focused growth happen in Guthrie.
- Lucy Swanson, Executive Director, The Arts in Guthrie
Arts patrons are ready to commit and arts-based tourism is growing across the country, and particularly in our region. I think that we are tired of exporting our talent to the northwest or California; we need to provide opportunities right here and bring all of those other folks to us!! The Arts in Guthrie has contracted with Americans for the Arts to do an economic impact study specifically of the effect of Guthrie’s arts economy. It will be over a year-long process that will measure the amount of money flows through the community by way of our nonprofit arts venues and events. The last time a study of this type was undertaken was well over a decade ago and only took into account the impact of The Pollard Theatre. At that time it was estimated that there was approximately a million dollars yearly impact on the community through that single venue! By having a current impact study conducted by such a respected entity we will have hard numbers to show people who are interested in investing in Guthrie, bringing new businesses, venues, artists, and residents to our community. The study will also aid businesses and organizations when looking for grants and funding from outside sources to continue the good work that they do. It is something that will benefit the entire community, and The Arts in Guthrie is happy to provide it for you!
There are large investors looking at Guthrie constantly to find some way to invest and become part of what appears from the outside to be a town on the verge of another big boom. Just this week I ran into a good friend, a banker from OKC, walking down Oklahoma Ave. When I asked him what he was doing he said that he was looking for investment property. He had looked at one of the large buildings downtown – after somewhat of a struggle getting a response from the realtor on the phone and email – and he was very impressed! He was shocked that the “loft space” wasn’t all occupied downtown, and that there were so many empty storefronts. (So am I) I reassured him that it’s a process and that we are on the upswing, showed him a couple of other options, and left him still walking down the street looking around in amazement. These are the people who will bring vitality to downtown, and by extension, to the entire community!
More Big News!!! Our website is going LIVE on December 1, 2015!!!! Please check it out at www.theartsinguthrie.org. With our website we will be able to allow artists to add events to our calendar, provide information for a registry of local artists of all types, learn about opportunities for employment outside of our local area, and create an online gallery to share their work. Others will be able to check out events, performances, openings, and will also be able to find local artists to hire for their own events. Another great feature is that donors will be able to make contributions directly through a secure site.
The Arts in Guthrie is here to benefit GUTHRIE! We know that in order for our arts community to prosper, Guthrie has to prosper. Our main objectives are:
•Arts District Development
•Economic Development
•Community Building
•Education
Join us as we work to make sustainable community-focused growth happen in Guthrie.
- Lucy Swanson, Executive Director, The Arts in Guthrie
