Notes from OKLAHOMA ART COUNCIL annual conference

After three days of discussions and workshops with three hundred art advocates from around the state of Oklahoma, I am reinforced in my belief that Watonga can be a vital place to live and an attraction to people from all across the state and neighboring states.

The focus of the Oklahoma Arts Council annual meeting was not just "making art". It was how the arts can be used in any, and every, town to enhance the education of our children and citizens; to boost economic development; and to improve quality of life. The concepts presented at the conference apply to EVERY town, regardless of size.

Watonga has the "good bones" upon which to build a community where people want to come (and spend money). In one of the workshops I attended, the question was posed to every attendee: what does your town have to offer right now. I was able to say that we have a State Park, a stained glass studio and store, a fabric arts store, a winery, an historic theatre that is used for live performances and a theatre company, a lovely park with a stage, the Armory, antique stores, gift shops, many local talented musicians ..... several civic clubs  ... an active senior citizen center ...  a quilt guild ... a hospital...  an established annual Festival.  [please feel free to send comments on what other assets we have here in Watonga].  So why aren't we drawing people to Watonga with these assets? Because we aren't organized about promoting our town and events.

It will take the partnership and cooperation of the Main Street Association, the City government, the Chamber of Commerce, civic groups, businesses, non-profit organizations, the school administration, and each and every individual who is interested in progress for our town.   It will take some new ideas and willingness to have an open mind in implementing those ideas.  Many of us don't just want simple bare survival. Some of us want better for the town. We want the city to have the money it needs to provide the services we all need. We want good streets, more beauty, more opportunities more local jobs ..... We want higher salaries for city employees. We want what other towns, large and small, have been able to provide by incorporating ART into the fabric of our lives here. We want businesses and attractions that will draw people to Watonga and spend money here. What this path will bring to Watonga is SALES TAX DOLLARS. This path will not only bring in more tax dollars, but can also be a way to keep young people here and possibly even bring young people back here to live and work.
   
Watch here for more about a vision statement and a plan of action for Watonga's future.