Guthrie’s Arts hosting Community Listening Sessions to gauge interest

Community Listening Sessions will be taking place to gauge interest in Guthrie’s Arts and Cultural District in order to help see which priorities are most important to the community. They will be taking place at 7 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 102 E. Noble Ave. An invitation is open to several groups of people to attend.

Artists, arts organizations, galleries, event and venue organizers, non-profits – Saturday, November 22 at 2 p.m.
Educators, social services, health & welfare services, youth services, the faith community, elders in the city – Thursday, November 20 at 7 p.m.
City/County leaders, representatives of local foundations or non-profits, the business community, and economic development leaders – Tuesday, December 9 at 4 p.m.
Students, youth, young leaders, young adults, general public – Tuesday, December 9 at 7 p.m.

A consultant will then compile the information that is shared and help us to create a formal five-year plan.

The Arts in Guthrie believes that a successful Arts and Cultural District will contribute to the vitality and economic growth of the community. Some things that must be in place before the ACD is put into place are:

A critical mass of artists, arts organizations, cultural facilities or activities that serve as a foundation for developing an Arts and Cultural District.
Adequate time, resources and community capacity dedicated to developing and marketing the District.
A strong arts or community organization with the capacity to facilitate the District development and/or marketing plan.
Commitment to include artists and community stakeholders in planning and developing the district.
Local government capacity including: accommodating and supporting the Cultural District as part of the city’s economic and community development strategies.
Involvement of dynamic community partners.
A strong community commitment to arts education.

Guthrie has all of these!

“We need to hear from you! It is what you want that will direct the development of our overall plan. Please join us!”