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2011 Oklahoma Arts Conference Sessions

Not so long ago Paducah, Kentucky was your normal mid-size American town of 26,000 residents, facing the same struggles many communities of that size face. With economic challenges and a downtown lined with dilapidated buildings, the city tapped Tom Barnett to lead efforts to transform and revitalize the beleaguered community. With a small budget and a bit of seed money, Barnett laid out a plan in 2000 that would eventually incentivize and lure artists to live and work in the small western Kentucky town. Within two years, Barnett and Paducah would garner national attention as the model for community development and revitalization. By 2002, Paducah area tourism revenues alone had increased by $10 million.

Community development professionals from Oklahoma communities of all sizes can hear firsthand from Barnett when he shares stories and strategies for successful community development during the 2011 Oklahoma Arts Conference. Join us October 26 & 27 at the Hyatt Regency in Tulsa! Registration is $50.

Read an article about the transformation of Paducah, Kentucky.

Involved in community development? These Oklahoma Arts Conference sessions may interest you:

Wednesday, October 26

• Paducah, Kentucky: Phase I
• Paducah, Kentucky: Phase II

• TIF, BID, Arts District Designation? Deciding the Right Thing for Your Community and How to Start
• Evansville, Indiana: A Study in What Works and What Doesn?t
• Public Private Partnerships: The New Key to Success

Other conference activities that might interest you...

• Tour of the Hardesty Arts Center in the Brady Arts District
  
• Brady District Gallery Walk

See the full schedule of sessions, panels, and events.

Register for the conference here.