Placemaking Through the Arts

As featured in the Journal Record.

We are lucky to live in a community dotted with murals, sculptures, and other varieties of public art, but it was certainly no accident. The City of Oklahoma City has made a strong commitment to fostering a vibrant, creative environment through investments in public art. This focus has helped shape our city’s unique culture while beautifying our community.

A key driver of this progress is the “1% for Art” ordinance, enacted by the City Council in 2009. It requires that 1% of the budgeted construction cost of any new building, park development, or major renovation be allocated to public art installations. This policy has elevated the role of art in civic spaces, helping to foster something truly special in OKC.

Here, the arts are more than a luxury—they’re a cornerstone of how we shape place and build community. Through strategic investments in public art and cultural programming, we’re seeing firsthand how creative spaces drive economic development, social connection, and a deeper sense of belonging.

Leading the way is Allied Arts—a 50-year-old nonprofit that enriches lives through the arts. Currently in the midst of its 2025 fundraising campaign, Allied Arts continues to be a key player in sustaining the city’s arts infrastructure. With their support, more than 40 local organizations—from youth theater programs to Indigenous cultural centers—offer programming that reaches every corner of our community. These aren’t just performances and exhibitions; they’re experiences that shape how people interact with the spaces around them.

Read the rest of the column in the Journal Record.

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