Born out of a need to readjust programming post-pandemic, Odessa Arts has introduced a new community initiative: First Fridays. This event was created to rejuvenate downtown Odessa and encourage locals to support area businesses.
"For 27 years, Odessa Arts and Downtown Odessa Inc. hosted an outdoor summer concert series called Hot Summer Nights," said Randy Ham, Executive Director of Odessa Arts. "We had to put that program on pause during the pandemic, and when we resumed concerts, we noticed that the attendance had reduced drastically."
The declining attendance highlighted a shift in community engagement. The downtown area, once sparse with businesses, had transformed. With the construction of the downtown Marriott hotel and conference center, along with the refurbishment of the historic Ector Theater, many new businesses had opened their doors. Odessa Arts saw this as an opportunity to rethink their approach.
"We wanted to come up with programming that would encourage community members not only to come downtown but also to patronize the local businesses," Ham said.
Inspired by similar events in other cities, notably Lubbock's First Fridays, Odessa Arts decided to adopt and adapt the concept.
Ham and his team conducted thorough research by attending several First Fridays in Lubbock and meeting with their organizers. "We found that the Lubbock model would translate very well to Odessa," he said.
Odessa Arts was founded in 1978 as the Odessa Cultural Council. Initially, it was a coalition of representatives from a handful of arts agencies to pool resources to market cultural activities to the community. By 1981, they began receiving hotel occupancy tax funds from the City of Odessa to grant to cultural agencies, supporting them and promoting cultural tourism.
The First Fridays event stands out among Odessa Arts' various programs due to its novelty and dynamic nature.
"This is our newest initiative, so it still feels fresh and exciting," Ham said.
Unlike established programs that operate smoothly, First Fridays requires more granular management and has the flexibility to grow and shift based on the needs of local businesses and community members.
"You never know what’s going to happen on any given First Friday, and that adds a shot of adrenaline to each month," he said.
The goals of First Fridays are twofold: to provide a framework for community members to experience live music, arts, and crafts, and other unique programming; and to encourage people to eat, play, and shop in downtown businesses, thereby stimulating the local economy. "We are very proud of the progress of the development of Downtown Odessa, and we want to be able to show it off," Ham said.
The event caters to all ages, aiming to attract families and young professionals alike. Since its launch in August of last year, First Fridays has grown significantly.
"When we launched First Fridays, we had 11 participating vendors. This August, we had close to 50, plus an additional 20 street vendors on Fifth Street," Ham said.
With the success of the event, Odessa Arts is preparing for its next First Fridays on Sept. 6, which promises even more vendors, entertainment, and activities. The event has quickly become a staple in Odessa’s cultural calendar.
As the local arts agency for Odessa and Ector County, Odessa Arts plays a crucial role in supporting and promoting the arts and humanities in the area.
"It gives us an opportunity to support and grow the entire cultural landscape of Odessa," Ham said.
Looking ahead, Ham envisions First Fridays becoming the signature event for downtown Odessa.
"First Fridays is aimed to prove we have a walkable, shoppable, and entertaining downtown district," he said.
As the event continues to grow, Odessa Arts hopes it will leave a lasting imprint, showcasing the vitality of downtown Odessa.
With the next event around the corner, Ham invites the community to come out and celebrate. "There will be prizes, food, activities, and most of all, the community coming together to enjoy a vibrant downtown," he said.
As Odessa Arts continues to innovate and adapt, First Fridays exemplifies its commitment to enriching the community and fostering a thriving downtown area.