May 31, 2024

5/31/2024

Friday | May 31, 2024

The Economics of Art

Sunny Dayz Mural Fest is happening in Ponca City! What does this mean for our community you ask? It started when 300 artists from ACROSS THE GLOBE applied to be one of the 50 artists currently creating over 30 murals in our downtown district this week. Check out Sunnydaysmuralfest.com for all the details. This is the fourth year for this unique Mural Festival, but the first year for Ponca City. And since PCDA staff is all about the economy (and in this case, the beauty) let’s chat about art as an economic driver. Public art increases the value of an area: increased property values, property and business owner investment and buildings with tenants are all ways to measure the economic impact of art as business.

The 30 murals completed this past week add over $300,000 of public art to the downtown area and will draw hundreds of people this weekend for the reveal tomorrow, June 1^st. But what about after June 1^st? Does public art make that big of a difference? Absolutely. We are a Pioneer Woman and Standing Bear statue community after all. These new murals added to the foxes and other large-scale art in Ponca City, will give travelers coming to and through our community more art to visit, to see and do on a Sunday and after five pm, when most other museums and attractions are closed. Murals, statues and public spaces increase Ponca City visibility at the state level as a public festival venue and add to the quality of life for ALL of Ponca City.

Event Economics

Herb Festival weekend is not just about the plants, yard ornaments and other vendors: It is a two-day celebration bringing hundreds of people to Ponca City: both to sell and to buy. Around half of the 100 vendors participating in The Herb Festival this weekend will be from out of town.

Parked at the churches and streets around 14^th and Grand, you will see car tags from Texas, Arkansas, Kansas and states beyond our region. You may even see former PC residents returning for this particular weekend’s events, like the Schooner’s Draggin Grand or live music downtown. That means even more hotel and food dollars being spent in the community. On an average, most individuals attending these types of events spend between $25 and $50 around that event. That is not including what is spent with retail vendors. Since the entrance is free, it is easier for people to pay for parking and spend more on food in the community. If 500 people spend $25 in Ponca City, that is a nice $12,500 increase in sales that day. Again, that is food and drink purchases, not including retail expenditures.

And beyond the extra sales created, these types of events strengthen social ties and instill a sense of belonging among PC residents, both current and former. The Herb Festival, in particular, serves as a showcase for local artists, vendors and small businesses to highlight their talents and products, nurturing entrepreneurship and creativity within our community. So whether it is Octoberfest, The Angel Festival, The 101 Ranch Rodeo or Herb Fest, be proud of your community for hosting and know that these events give a boost to the Ponca City economy. A big shout out to Survivor Resource Network staff and volunteers for putting on this event.

Girl Power On the Move Next Week

Girl Power Campers are on the move next week. Part of the Girl Power STEM Camp curriculum is getting out to the manufacturing and target industry community. This means visiting companies like K&C, CME, Evans & Associates and others so the campers can see up close what is made in Ponca City.

PCDA thanks the companies and their employees for taking production time to share their products and processes with the next generation of employees during Girl Power Week.

A Community Centered Economy

And then there are the intangibles; the events and entertainment whose ROI isn’t measured by dollars: they are measured by community participation and involvement. Also happening this weekend is the Ponca City Library Summer Reading Program kickoff with Touch-A-Truck tomorrow (Saturday) morning, 9 am to noon. And if that wasn’t enough, the Farmer’s Market at the Pioneer Woman Circle has their opening Saturday from 8 to 11 am. Supporting these community markets and events allows them to continue year after year.

The library is funded by City, State and local taxes allowing them to offer programs like the Summer Reading programs; but only if people participate. So, get out to the library Saturday and all summer long for these amazing age-appropriate programs. Staff heard the bug guy from OSU is back this summer with the BEST BUGS on July 30^th. And of course, the Farmer’s Market brings local produce and added value foods for purchase every Saturday and Tuesday throughout the Summer. The dollars spent on that tomato, carrot, squash, flowers or beef, make a huge impact on local agriculture. Buy local; eat local means our community continues to have access to food that is outside the commercial grocery pipeline; insuring local food security.