From the President

East Main Cultural Arts District A vision for the future

      This week an article appeared in the Ada Evening News announcing that East Central University has received a $219,880 Rural Business Opportunity Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture.  This is wonderful news because the grant, along with the future opening of the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center, means Ada is on its way to developing a cultural arts district.

      How can that help Ada?

      With the fine arts center as the “anchor tenant,” the grant to help us get there and community support, Ada can develop new businesses and jobs and become a prime tourism destination in Oklahoma.

      An “arts district” along East Main Street has been discussed for some time.  Now, the addition of the $27 million Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center will open the doors to a new era for the community. The 85,000 square-foot center will include a 1,000-seat performance hall, a black box theatre and art gallery, plus rehearsal and academic space for the art, music, theater and mass communications.  The center’s performance hall will accommodate a full orchestra, off-Broadway productions, dance performances and large conferences.

      The USDA grant will allow us, as a community, to become proactive and involve the public in developing this area.  We are eager to begin collecting the many ideas from the citizens of Ada and clarifying our vision for this next step.  Some of the ideas that have been discussed for the East Main Cultural Arts District include dynamic pedestrian-friendly spaces, open-air cafes, artist studios, lofts and other arts-related businesses. es.

      The university wants to work hand-in-hand with the city, community, existing businesses and residents in the area to make the district a success. As early as this fall we will start soliciting community input.  This could include surveys, community meetings group meetings with businesses and residents in the area.

      Undoubtedly the entrepreneurial activities and services that emerge from the East Main Cultural Arts District will improve the quality of life for citizens of the Ada area, and improve and diversify Ada’s economic competitiveness as well as increase the economic impact of East Central University. 

      We look forward to community-wide participation in this exciting opportunity.

Go Tigers!

Richard Rafes, J.D., Ph.D

President, East Central University