We Believe In Transparency
Ogden Contemporary Arts (OCA) Impact Statement
Ogden Contemporary Arts (OCA) is committed to enhancing the creative vibrancy of Ogden by empowering and elevating local artists and creatives. As a community-driven organization, we recognize the immense value that local talent brings to our culture and economy, and we are dedicated to fostering a sustainable environment where artists thrive.
Supporting Local Artists and Creatives
At OCA, we believe in the transformative power of the arts to engage communities, spark conversations, and inspire innovation. Central to this mission is our unwavering commitment to supporting local artists, ensuring they have access to the resources, visibility, and opportunities needed to grow their practice and influence. We do this by:
- Providing Exhibition Space: Through our contemporary gallery, we offer local artists platforms to showcase their work alongside nationally and internationally recognized artists. This gives local artists a voice in the broader artistic conversation.
- Developing Public Art Initiatives: We create opportunities for local creatives to contribute to public art projects that enhance the cultural landscape of Ogden, while offering them recognition and a platform to engage with the community.
- Curating Events and Collaborations: OCA organizes a variety of events and collaborations where local artists and creatives can connect, network, and gain exposure to new audiences and professional opportunities.
Hiring Local Talent
OCA prioritizes hiring artists, curators, designers, and other creatives from Ogden and the surrounding region for all of our projects. By working with local talent, we ensure that our initiatives reflect the diversity, authenticity, and vibrancy of our community. We are committed to equitable hiring practices that ensure diverse voices are represented, and we actively seek out established, emerging, and underrepresented artists to participate in our programming.
- Artist-Driven Programming: We provide opportunities for local artists to take leading roles in our programming, from concept to execution, ensuring their creative vision shapes the projects they work on.
- Curatorial and Educational Opportunities: OCA offers paid roles for curators, art educators, and creative professionals, allowing local experts to contribute to the community’s cultural growth.
Paying Artists and Creatives Fairly
OCA stands firmly behind the principle that artists and creatives should be fairly compensated for their time, talent, and contributions. We ensure that local arts professionals, regardless of their level of experience, are paid industry-standard rates for their work. This includes:
- Competitive Artist Fees: All artists participating in OCA exhibitions, installations, and performances are compensated with fees that align with national standards, ensuring their work is valued.
- Commissioned Projects: When commissioning new works, whether for our gallery or public installations, we provide clear and transparent contracts with fair compensation that reflects the scope and significance of each project.
- Educational Engagements: We compensate artists for their time and expertise when they contribute to workshops, lectures, and community outreach events, valuing their role as educators within the arts ecosystem.
Transparency in Numbers
At OCA, we prioritize transparency to ensure our community, supporters, and artists understand how our resources are used. Below is a breakdown of how we invested in our local artists, creatives, and operations in FY2023:
- Artist Factory Teaching Artist Honorarium: $48,500
- Exhibiting Artist Honorarium: $52,000
- Local Creatives (photography, videography, writing, etc.): $49,500
- Curator Honorarium: $10,000
- Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Living Expenses: $8,500
- Artist Production Materials: $20,500
- Art Education Art Supplies: $30,500
- Art Shipping: $20,500
- Payroll: $174,000
- Rent, Utilities, Maintenance: $70,000
- Accessibility (Wheelchair Lift): $55,000
These figures reflect our ongoing commitment to ensuring that local artists and creatives are fairly compensated while maintaining transparency in our operational costs. By paying artists and curators competitive fees, covering essential production costs, and prioritizing accessibility, OCA continues to support a vibrant arts ecosystem in Ogden.
Our Broader Community Impact
By investing in local artists and creatives, OCA not only enhances the cultural fabric of Ogden but also strengthens the local economy. Our commitment to supporting, hiring, and paying local talent ensures that the arts remain a sustainable career path for creatives in our community, while enriching the experiences of those who engage with their work. Every project, exhibition, and event at OCA is an opportunity to support the local creative economy and to celebrate the diverse artistic voices that make Ogden and Utah unique.