To Oklahomans
It wasn’t too long ago that this was the phrase most used to describe Oklahoma. Fly-over country is just land you fly over on your way from someplace important to someplace else important. It’s nowhere. And if that was true, then Oklahoma City was the middle of nowhere.
But that was before we became a center of energy creation and conservation.
That was before we became an example of a strong local economy even amidst recession.
That was before we became a place with leading technological and engineering research.
That was before we gained an NBA franchise on the verge of winning the national championships.
That was before the Consortium.
Making a Name for Ourselves
Wait — the what now?
That’s probably how you reacted to that list. Exactly like folks reacted the first couple seasons the Thunder played. Or the first few years that Chesapeake was in business. The Consortium isn’t on the level of those organizations…yet.
But it’s going to be. And it’s going to do for the arts and the culture of Oklahoma City what those organizations did for sports and energy.
The Consortium is going to put us Oklahomans on the map.
Employing Oklahoma Artists
Oklahoma City, and the state as a whole, will no longer be cultural fly-over country while all the best, most interesting, most spectacular art is produced in New York or Los Angeles.
All of our employees are Oklahomans. All the art we support is made by Oklahomans. We see the Consortium as a pilot program that we hope to take global, gaining worldwide recognition and influence. The Consortium wants to change the way people think about art and copyright; we want to impact the culture of everywhere.
But it will always have started right here in Oklahoma City.
Even if you think “global” and “worldwide” are all pie-in-the-sky, sweet-by-and-by talk, you can’t argue with this: the Consortium is spending money on developing the artistic talents of Oklahomans. That means we’re impacting the economy directly with actual cash money, as well as indirectly by creating an environment in which Oklahoman artists are safe to pursue the betterment of their craft.
Supporting the Arts
The progression of their individual careers will owe some credit to the training, encouragement, and support they receive as Consortium artists. Better artists become recognized artists; they become successful artists; they become trendsetters. They’ll become Oklahoma artists who are recognized, successful, and setting trends for the nation and the world.
That’s not just a feather in the state’s cap — that’s a whole peacock sitting up there, tail feathers spread wide and demanding that everyone take notice. Oklahoma has been gaining influence in all manner of unexpected places.
The Consortium is leading the way to the next unexpected place for the state to be a leader: arts and culture. That should be exciting news for every single Oklahoman whether they’re an artist, an art lover, or just somebody who wants to be proud of where they’re from.
The Consortium: Dedicated to making Oklahoma a leading force in the arts. Cheer us on, won’t you, Oklahoma?