arts & business council

MetLife National Arts Forums Series

Cultural Development Corporation of Central Oklahoma; Arts Council of Oklahoma City; Allied Arts Foundation; Multicultural Society
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

OKC Culture 2015
09/15/2005

Moderator: Possibilities, Inc.

Panelists:

• Elizabeth Eickman, former Executive Director, Arts Council of Oklahoma City
• Roy Williams, President, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce
• James Pickel, President, Cultural Development Corporation

According to the participants, it is time for new approaches to arts education and arts communication and promotions in Oklahoma City, and celebrating ethnic and cultural diversity must be a part of the new plan. More and better coordination and collaboration in programs is overdue. By bringing more groups to the table, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce believes these goals can be accomplished in a much more comprehensive manner.

Searching for next steps, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce identified members of a variety of cultures who were willing to participate in community planning. The multicultural group was remarkably reflective of the ethnic mix in Oklahoma City and included Asian, Hispanic, Native American, Black, Australian, and other ethnic representatives. They met at the newly established Multicultural Center, a landmark geodesic dome-shaped building in the heart of the Asian district.

Their ideas were similar to the first forum (held on September 12, 2005, which sought input from young business professionals) in some areas, agreeing that they wanted more outdoor festivals, performance venues, and recreational areas. However, their suggestions for new events were often focused on specific cultures and their traditions, as well as multicultural activities such as a Unity Fest and a multicultural youth festival. The themes of honoring diversity, inclusion, and collaboration were echoed time and again.

The multicultural focus was also evident in their desire for new museums and galleries, or additional sections in existing museums, which would showcase and celebrate the artistic and historic contributions of diverse ethnic groups. There was great excitement about the new American Indian Cultural Center, a world-class living museum for which ground will be blessed in November. 

Because there were more artists present in this group, they expressed a desire not only to have opportunities to exhibit and perform specifically with and for other artists from their ethnic backgrounds, but also to be included more often in community-wide arts opportunities. 

As with the young business professionals group, they were vocal about the ongoing need for arts education at all ages. The need for better marketing of arts and cultural activities was mentioned often, and enthusiasm for creating an online bulletin board was evident. They talked about funding, both for arts organizations as well as for individual artists, and included the possibility of public funding for the arts, as well as a dynamic public art program, as some of their priorities. As one would expect, almost all ideas brought forth had at least a subtext of celebrating diversity.