The New Grand Arts District Initiative
Ponca City Main Street was selected in 2017 as a grant recipient to participate in the Oklahoma Art Council's Cultural District Initiative. This grant awards up to $5000 per year and $25,000 in a five-year period to help local organizations form an Arts and Culture District.
Through the Oklahoma Cultural District Initiative, the Oklahoma Arts Council offers funding, guidance, professional consultation, and formal certification of cultural districts throughout Oklahoma. Through the initiative, we assist communities in identifying and leveraging their local arts and cultural assets to promote economic development.
View Letters of Support
View District Boundaries
GAD Cultural Asset List
Cultural District Development Program
Grant funding is available through the Oklahoma Arts Council, a state-funded, grant making agency, to assist in the establishment of cultural districts in Oklahoma communities. Nonprofit cultural organizations must serve as primary applicants for each district. Applications must demonstrate support from community stakeholders including city/county officials, businesses, artists, and educators.
Learn more about the Cultural District Development Program
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:
Ponca City Main Street was selected in 2017 as a grant recipient to participate in the Oklahoma Art Council's Cultural District Initiative. This grant awards up to $5000 per year and $25,000 in a five-year period to help local organizations form an Arts and Culture District.
Through the Oklahoma Cultural District Initiative, the Oklahoma Arts Council offers funding, guidance, professional consultation, and formal certification of cultural districts throughout Oklahoma. Through the initiative, we assist communities in identifying and leveraging their local arts and cultural assets to promote economic development.
View Letters of Support
View District Boundaries
GAD Cultural Asset List
Cultural District Development Program
Grant funding is available through the Oklahoma Arts Council, a state-funded, grant making agency, to assist in the establishment of cultural districts in Oklahoma communities. Nonprofit cultural organizations must serve as primary applicants for each district. Applications must demonstrate support from community stakeholders including city/county officials, businesses, artists, and educators.
Learn more about the Cultural District Development Program
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
