Tulsa's Arts Future
Our goal is to begin a conversation between the city, its artists, and those with small businesses in the arts and tourism industry.
Pardon us as we first lay out some concerns and "grievances". In the second part we would like to offer some starting ideas for possible solutions.
You Choose
The purpose... "create an iconic, Tulsa Route 66 destination,"
Budget Allocation; $250,000.00
Cry Baby Statue?
Or
Tulsa Art Deco Museum?
For the same cost, which would you have rather had on Route 66 in Tulsa, the Cry Baby Cry statue, paid to an out of state artist? Or the DECOPOLIS Tulsa Art Deco Museum, paid to a local artist? A for-profit museum that would have hired local businesses to build it, hired local people to run it, generated sales tax revenue through ticket, events and gift shop sales, paid property taxes, hosted events supporting more local artists, pulled in Tourists, helped revitalize an are of Route 66 in Tulsa that really needs help, etc.?
Likely due to lack of communication and collaboration with local artists and their businesses, the statue is what we got. The museum has been in the works for almost 15 years. The local artist finally has purchased the property and put in infrastructure for the museum on his own as he works towards building the museum for the city. But there has been ZERO direct support for this museum effort from the city. Tulsa is known the world over for its magnificent collection of Art Deco Architecture. There are multiple tour groups that give tours of that architecture, numerous books have been written about Tulsa's Art Deco. It would seem a natural fit for Tulsa to have the first and only museum in the US, celebrating this Art Style.
There are 3 big patterns we see in Tulsa
1. Big arts projects, and the big dollar sums (grants, fellowships, etc.) mostly going to out of town artists.
2. Taxpayer funded grants, mostly going to non-profit arts/tourism entities while for-profit ones are forbidden from applying for their own tax dollars.
3. Vastly more government support for large arts/tourism entities, compared to small, locally owned arts/tourism entities.
4. A lack of support, communication and collaboration between those allocating money to support artists and tourism, and the local, for-profit artists and tourism businesses. Where city objectives and small business objectives align, lies great opportunity for collaboration. IF there is communication.
So the local artists and their businesses watch as big sums from local donors mostly go to out of town artists, and or non-profits. They also watch as their non-profit counterparts receive taxpayer grants, while they are often locked out from competing for those grants. And they watch as huge sums of city money go to the largest arts/tourism entities, while they, together, being the other big part of the arts/tourism equation get very little to none... and see that this is not so in other cities.
Its a pattern we see over, and over, and over, month after month, year after year, creating hurt and frustration.
Arts & Tourism often overlap. They are a natural pairing. Local creatives and their small businesses contribute in many ways to the local Tourism industries alongside the big convention centers, arenas, performing arts venues, etc.
Local, For-profit arts/tourism businesses include...
*Art galleries (art openings, featured artists, performance nights, classes, etc.)
*Artists teaching classes, in their own galleries or others.
*For-profit Museums & Historic Attractions.
*Performance artists (often perform at events, and festivals, actors, cosplay performers, musicians, fire dancers, etc.often have their own for-profit busineses, work for for-profit and private events and festivals)
*Local artist/creatives that run businesses in Tourism areas and turn their businesses into attractions, (Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios "Giant Muffler Men", DECOPOLIS with it's life-size dinosaurs, volcano, art deco "buildings" etc.)
*Artists who create murals and who do "themed environments" (create local attractions like public murals, work in movies, commercials, museums, create "Meow Wolf" type experiences for local businesses turning them into attractions, etc.)
*Local artists in general, Sculptors (large and small scale works), commercial artists who create things like souvenirs, t-shirt designs, etc, fun tourist maps, roadside attractions, fun signage, etc.)
*For-profit music and performance venues
Our proposition is this...
Wealthy donors have a right to decide to whom and for what their donations go. Shouldn't taxpayers have the same right?
A tax paying, for-profit small business, having a similar focus and motivation as a non-profit, should be allowed to compete for TAXPAYER funded grants.
It's not fair to give tax dollars to a non-profit, while FORBIDDING their taxpaying counterparts from competing for those taxpayer funded grants.
Small businesses are already at an economic disadvantage when competing with much larger businesses and chains. Cities see that it is in their interest to support small businesses. But setting them up with this additional disadvantage to their non-profit counterparts, doesn't help, it adds to their marketplace challenges.
A quick word about grants.
Remember, grants aren't given out to just, do whatever one wants.
Grants require "getting something specific, achieved".
They usually require reporting and showing that the "achievement" has been accomplished in order to get the full grant amount. And, you usually have to compete, showing that you are the best entity to achieve the goals of the grant.
Whether you are a non-profit, or a for-profit. The rules for competing for the grant, and meeting the goals of the grant, are the same.
However, in Tulsa another rule is often added.... only non-profits need apply.
OR sometimes you can..
Try and find a non-profit sponsor.
OR Create a non-profit yourself.
With the 100 year Centennial of Route 66 in Tulsa, Tourism has finally, firmly gotten onto the cities radar as being a good, potential economic driver. Tourism and the arts are a natural pairing. Each success reinforcing the other. However, those individual artists and small business owners in the arts and tourism industries, have for years lamented a feeling of "Lack of support." from our city.
One place where this frustration arises is with the grants process in Tulsa.
We have a huge Non-Profit sector that seems to set the dominant tone, funding rules, and priorities for things. Often leaving local artists, creatives, and their small businesses out of the equation, and missing potential business and funding opportunities compared to their peers in other cities. The intent of this large non-profit network was to help advocate for more funding, and to combine different sources of funding, to theoretically create a bigger impact.
However there have been unintended consequences. One example being Taxpayer funds, that could, and often do, go to small arts and tourism, for-profit businesses in other cities, being coralled into that larger system here, which then often has rules forbidding for-profits from applying. Thus the ones most likely to pay the taxes, are then locked out of applying for those taxpayer funded grants. While allowing their peers in the non-profit sector to do so.
Note the two images below. ARPA grants were allowed to go to for-profit arts organizations and businesses. But then in Oklahoma, they made it so that only non-profits could apply. A portion of these funds went to organizations in Tulsa for distribution. But Tulsa had to follow the States rules at that point. However, even if the State had not changed it so that only non-profits could apply, the receiving entities in Tulsa would have those stipulations.
Regardless, its one example of how for-profit arts organizations in Tulsa and Oklahoma, are at a disadvantage compared to our peers in other States and Cities that allowed for-profits to apply for those grants.
There is also a disconnect and lack of communication between those individual artists, creative entrepreneurs, and small businesses working "on the front lines" to fulfill their dreams, and those making the decisions, and setting the priorities and visions within City Hall and the huge non-profit system (top down, we know all and best, priority setting). Thus adding to the feeling, of artists and smaller tourism businesses, being left out.
Did you know Tulsa's Route 66 could have had a Pontiac Museum?
Years ago I spoke with Tim Dye, the then local collector who had amassed a world class collection of Pontiac memorabelia and automobiles, and listened as he voiced his frustration at not finding support here for his museum. He had called me because he had seen something in the news about our Tulsa Art Deco Museum effort, and was wondering how we were doing with it.
Soon after, he visited Pontiac Illinois on Route 66. Within a year of visiting and talking with officials, they had donated a building and paid for its renovations, to house his collection.
Seems another missed opportunity for Tulsa.
Hotel Motel Tax
Shifting gears a bit, Tulsa is set to vote on an increase in the Hotel Motel Tax to help with its Tourism, convention, arena, PAC and promotions.
I personally have nothing against the tax... EXCEPT... As it's currently written, it's once again showing the pattern of Tulsa ignoring the smaller, players in the Arts & Tourism ecosystem. I believe NOW is the time to make some adjustments to "where" the tax goes. We have an opportunity here to help the other important players in Tulsa's Arts & Tourism scene.
There is an old saying,
There are TWO ways to make a big splash.
Throw in a big boulder.
or
Throw in a lot of coordinated pebbles.
The Convention Center, Arena, PAC, etc. are the "Big Boulders" part of the equation. But its the small Route 66 attractions made by local creatives, the small arts studios, the funky shops and restaurants in the Tourism Districts and Corridors, the local musicians and performers, etc. That make up the other half of the equation, the "Coordinated little Pebbles". They count as well.
Currently there is no portion of the Hotel Motel Tax that goes to support them. HOWEVER in our competitor cities, our "small business peers" in the arts & tourism industry DO get a portion.
Us not doing so puts us at a competitive disadvantage.
Again, this is yet another way, we are ignored and at a disadvantage compared our peers in other cities.
Below: Some information about grants from Hotel Motel Tax in San Antonio, a city that knows a thing or two about Tourism. They state in their literature how Small Arts Businesses are recognized as being an integral part of San Antonio's Arts, and their Convention & Tourism draw.
I have found many similar things in other cities that are big on Tourism, where not ALL the money only goes to the "big boulders." but a portion goes to the smaller, for-profit Tourism and Arts businesses and entities in their Tourism areas.
Some initial ideas per the Hotel Motel tax extension....
TOURISM
Supporting the numerous small arts and tourism related businesses in the city should also be seen as a critical part of our success as a Tourism and Convention draw.
From… HVS Global Hospitality Services“Tourism is the primary driver of hotel stays in US cities, consistently generating higher volume and revenue compared to conventions and corporate meetings. While conventions are vital for, specific large-city, full-service hotels and weekday business, tourism (leisure travel) constitutes the broader, foundational demand for the overall lodging industry.
”Utilizing a tiny percentage of the Hotel Motel tax to further the tourism infrastructure of Tulsa, and thus fill hotel rooms, seems a reasonable ask.
Public - Private Partnerships to enhance and maximize Tourism dollars
2.5% of the Hotel Motel Tax
1.5% from advertising and promotion component (to act as matching grants for small arts/tourism related businesses, for advertising and promotion projects, thus not taking away from advertising and promoting, but actually growing and enhancing it
1% from facilities component (to go to small arts and tourism businesses for their "facilities")Would go to small Tourism and arts related for-profits.
DO NOT allow the funds to be shunted into either city or non-profit organizations for distribution, that then have rules that only non-profits can apply.
Can be limited to designated tourism areas & corridors. Route 66, Kendal Whittier, Global District, etc.To enhance the creation and growth of small, local, arts and tourism related enterprises, this portion can be designated for “Small businesses only” annual revenue under X, number of employees under X.
Allow multiple small businesses to join together to pool their work and funds to create a larger area/district attraction or impact, than they could individually (a larger “icon/photo op” draw, an area/district tourism map or promotional effort, etc.” .
Ideas for what it can be used for…
* Matching grants for Beautification efforts: Front facing facade improvements (regardless of a buildings historic significance,) Planters, outdoor seating areas, awnings (some cities have awning grants to encourage pedestrian/transit friendly areas) murals, etc.
* Matching grants for Promoting…. Smaller attractions, galleries, venues, events and festivals, activities and classes, the creation of tourism maps, brochures, etc. This would be a complement to the City efforts to promote a broader, more comprehensive picture of the city and its larger venues, but would allow for creative ideas that focus on a small businesses unique characteristics, audiences and needs. Could allow for multiple businesses to join together to promote an area or district. (This shouldn’t be seen as “taking away” from the cities promotional funds, to the contrary, as a matching grant its enhancing and growing the promotional potential)
* Iconic photo-op and roadside attractions creation inside the designated tourism areas, especially those areas with the potential for numerous arts and tourism small businesses. These can be very expensive for a small business, business must pay at least 10%? 20%?, the city pays the rest) From giant statues to works of art. This could be a compliment to the Tulsa Neon Sign Grant and would be nice to have a stipulation that local artist/contractors be used for the design and creation of the Icon, thus further helping local artists and businesses that are an important part of the tourism ecosystem.
* Cultural preservation, education, presentation and enhancement efforts by local artists and small businesses inside the designated Tourism Areas.
Philosophy
Remember our friends from the TulsaRama Gang who had found a way to "do good" and make money?
Throughout corporate law history, there has been a philisophical debate between "Is the prime reason for a corporation to make money?" "Or can Doing Good also be a reason?"
Lately the pendulum has begun to shift towards allowing the legal "raison d'etre" reason for being, to be, Doing Good.
I have heard people complain that "Capitalism is bad" and we should get rid of it. I contend its not Capitalism per say, but how we structure it, the laws that create corporations, and yes, how we incentivise corporations. "Do Good" grants, could be a way to incentivise people and businesses to think... "What good can I do, that will make money?"
It may seem like a small shift, but its a mental shift, a moral shift that I believe could have a profound, positive, societal impact.
B Corp - Benefit Corporations
One manefestation of this trend to add "doing good" into capitalist corporations is the B-Corp, or Benefit Corporation.
In a nutshell a Benefit Corporation allows for a legal process by which say the founder of a company, can instate their "do good" goals and philosopy into the corporations legal structure. If the founder dies, the board changes, etc. the "do good" mission carries on.
Interestingly, fairly recently Oklahoma became a state that allowes for the incorporation of Benefit Corporations.
DECOPOLIS. Philosophy & Vision
My business, DECOPOLIS, has a "do good" philosopy at its heart.
Our goal is to begin to shift away from an economy that relies just on the buying and selling of Things, to one where people are more and more, buying and selling Experiences.
And not just any Experiences, but ones that are magical, inspiring, fun and educational. Experiences where people learn and grow, do good things for... the world.
We have started the DECOPOLIS Tulsa Art Deco Museum as a way to celebrate Tulsa's Art Deco Heritage, and use that as a means of establishing Tulsa's high artistic "credentials" and a positive global reputation in the arts for todays artists. Art Deco is a style that bridges the classical and modern. Helping people understand and appreciate modern art that can be more challenging. The museum would be a community space, a place of beauty, a Tourist attraction that brings in out of state dollars. As a for-profit museum it would pay property taxes (other, non-profit museums in Tulsa do not). It would also pay sales taxes, corporate taxes, etc. (and I believe, should be able to apply for taxpayer funded grants like our non-profit peers)
We have also started the DECOPOLIS Discovitorium. The Discovitorium features; Rocks, Fossils & Life Sized Dinosaurs, science and nature books, gifts and toys, and sci-fi items. We have a "Time Challenge" game where people solve fun, educational challenges to open a lock on a chest, which them leads them to another challenge and chest, then another till the end of the game. It's a fun, free, educational activity. Once had a group of kids come in and say that their teacher said if they played the game and finished, they would get extra credit in their class. That was a good moment. The ultimate goal for the DECOPOLIS Discovitorium is to have a larger attraction that is part Natural History Museum with learning displays, meets fun gift shop, meets magical, Disney style theming, meets activity and classroom space.
Even our DECOPOLIS TulsaRama Ice Cream Parlor is part magically themed attraction and educational museum. We have artifacts and "fun facts" from Oklahoma's 1957 Semi-Centennial Celebrations and Tulsa's verison of the Centennial Celebrations they called the "TulsaRama!". The artifacts and info are spread throughout the space and its a joy to watch people go around, look, learn, and laugh.
We have the DECOPOLIS William's Tulsey Town Gallery where we feature local and Native American artists, teach art classes, have book clubs, neighborhood meetings, hosts events, etc.
We have the DECOPOLIS FableRealm Bookstore, which is also a magical, themed attraction that features and promotes local authors, local book illustrators, has book signings, hosts book clubs, etc.
The new property where we chose to be located, is on Route 66 in Tulsa, in order to both contribute to and benefit from Tulsa's Route 66 Tourism potential.
We are in an area of town that needs revitalization. It's a challenging area to be in, but we believe we have the potential to spark positive changes in the area. Especially if we get a little help from the city.
We also liked this location because we believe in creating walkable, pedestrian friendly places in Tulsa, and this property is on the next Mass Transit Line, which will run from our property to Downtown Tulsa.
So our "Do Good" philosopy is woven into the fabric of our business in multiple ways. And we are an Arts and Tourism based company. I AM an artist. DECOPOLIS is in a way, a giant, immersive art and learning experience. And that is the goal, that is our mission.
I am just one artist. Trying to make a postitive difference, trying to give and leave something beautiful and worthwhile to Tulsa and the world.
I do not need to be a non-profit (taking my business off the tax rolls) being a for-profit works perfecty well thank you. We have a perfectly capable business and do not need to have a "non-profit sponsor" help us apply for a grant. Especially when our peers in other cities do not face those extra hurdles and can apply directly for similar grants.
That allowance, that change, would benefit hundreds of local artists, and the small arts and Tourism related businesses in Tulsa.