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A component of the Oklahoma Cultural District Initiative, the Cultural District Development Program provides grant funding, guidance, and professional consultation to assist in creating cultural districts in Oklahoma communities.

Learn more about the program's pilot community, Alva, Oklahoma

What is a cultural district?

A cultural district is a mixed-use area of a community in which a high concentration of arts and cultural facilities or activities serves as the anchor of attraction. Cultural districts can be found in communities of all sizes - rural and urban. Ideally, a district reflects its community's unique built environment and history, showcases the region's artists and cultural traditions, and increases social engagement.

Cultural districts act as an agent for positive growth in a community by:

• Incentivizing new and relocating businesses

• Stimulating commerce

• Boosting tourism

• Fostering civic pride

• Enhancing quality of life

• Increasing property values

• Attracting a well-educated and creative workforce

Grants

Grants of up to $7,500 per year are available to successful applicants. Grants require a 1:1 cash match (50 percent of the match may be in-kind support). Applicants may participate in the program for up to five years and receive a maximum of $25,000 in funding.

Applications must demonstrate support from community stakeholders including cultural organizations, city/county officials, businesses, artists and educators.

Grant funding may be used for the following expenses:

• Fees for professional consultants

• Hiring a district coordinator who will oversee operations during the development phase

• Marketing and promotion of district activities and events

• Other eligible expenses

Grant funds cannot be used for capital improvements, non-arts related expenses, activities with a religious purpose, fundraisers, food or prizes. Funds must be distributed to the applicant organization only. Consultants will be contracted through the applicant organization.

Grants are awarded based on community readiness and capacity. Grant amounts are based on consultant fees and program costs and are subject to availability of Oklahoma Arts Council funding.

Application Process

Interested applicants must submit a letter of intent by November 15. Successful applicants will begin the program in July of the following year.

Download a sample letter of intent.

Applications must demonstrate support from cultural organizations, community stakeholders including city/county officials, businesses, artists and educators.

Application timeline:

• November 15 - Letters of intent due

• January 15 - Notification to apply provided

• April 15 - Applications due

• July – Notification of awards sent to successful applicants; successful applicants begin program

Community Committee

Partnerships with community stakeholders are required for participation in the Cultural District Development Program. Participating communities will be required to create a diverse committee of community leaders and members. The committee should include, but not be limited to, individuals from the following areas:

• Artists

• Arts organizations

• City, county or tribal governments

• Educational institutions (primary, secondary and higher education)

• Professional groups

• Culturally specific, social service, and religious organizations

Community Coordinator

Each community will designate a Community Coordinator whose duties will include, but not be limited to the following:

• Act as liaison for the community and Oklahoma Arts Council

• Develop and lead the community committee

• Act as secretary for the community committee or designate a secretary to keep minutes of meetings

• Conduct cultural asset assessment

• Contract and work with consultants on benchmarks and annual goals

• Complete annual evaluations and reports

• Other duties necessary to make the program a success
  
  

Consultants

The community committee is responsible for contracting with professional consultants who have a demonstrated expertise in cultural planning and community design. Selection of consultants is subject to approval by the Oklahoma Arts Council. The Oklahoma Arts Council can provide consultant referrals upon request. Consultation fees may need to cover travel, lodging and per diem.

Oklahoma Arts Council staff provides overall guidance on each project and is available for consultations as needed.

Measuring Success

Benchmarks are established during the planning process involving the community committee, professional consultants and Oklahoma Arts Council. In assessing benchmarks, communities will submit annual reports and Oklahoma Arts Council staff will conduct site visits.

Goals may include:

• Incorporate the arts into local public policy

• Initiate new collaborative arts-based events

• Develop financial incentives for artists and arts organizations

• Establish new partnerships with local businesses, nonprofit organizations, city government and others

• Promote arts related businesses and attract tourists

• Stimulate an understanding of the value of the arts in economic development

• Increase access to the arts to promote a creative workforce and arts education

• Generate tax revenue

• Improve community aesthetics
  
  

Advisory Committee

Review of applications, annual reports and other program requirements will be provided by the Oklahoma Cultural District Initiative Advisory Committee.

The committee may consist of members of the following:

• Oklahoma Arts Council staff

• Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office

• Oklahoma's Main Street Program/Department of Commerce

• Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department

• Preservation Oklahoma

• Professionals with expertise in community planning and development

Termination of Program or Changes

The Cultural District Development Program is dependent on the availability of funds. The Oklahoma Arts Council reserves the right to decline funding if benchmarks are not met. Any changes to a proposed Cultural District Development Program should be sent to the Oklahoma Arts Council for approval prior to annual evaluations.

Questions?
For more information contact our Community Arts Director.