Vibrant Spaces Season 02 is here!

Vibrant Spaces is back for Season 2! In this podcast we connect with the people and places doing big things to bring their cities and towns to life. Tune in weekly for new episodes and new insights!
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In our first episode this season, we focus on Tulsa, Oklahoma, where guests Meg Gould and Natalie Bowling are using art, infrastructure, and deep listening to bridge historic divides and create a stronger sense of identity for a city still in the process of healing.

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As leaders from Tulsa's Planning and Economic Development Department and the Downtown Coordinating Council, Meg and Natalie walk us through the city’s evolution—from the trauma of urban renewal and the legacy of redlining, to new pathways for storytelling and celebration. We dive into Tulsa’s public art master plan, equitable investment zones, and the role artists play in serving as cultural ambassadors—bringing light and pride to neighborhoods too often overlooked.

This episode explores:

• How artists and infrastructure are being used to repair and reconnect neighborhoods
• The power of shifting from “revitalization” language to place-based storytelling
• The promise (and challenge) of funding models driven by private philanthropy
• Why city planning needs both strategic design and on-the-ground community relationships to succeed
• How Tulsa is investing in local creatives and sending artists out into the world as ambassadors—to extol the virtues of building your life and career in Tulsa.

CONNECT WITH OUR HOSTS: Emily Craven |  Tim Souza 

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

‍MEG GOULD - Executive Director of Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts, and Culture A certified Film Commissioner with the Association of Film Commissioners International, with a BA in Radio, Television, and Film Production, Meg embarked on a fulfilling career that took her from Los Angeles to Dallas and eventually to Tulsa. In Los Angeles, she worked on a diverse array of projects, ranging from big-budget films like Godzilla to prestigious events like the Academy Awards and the World Cup. After returning to Dallas to work on Walker, Texas Ranger, Meg made a pivotal career move by joining the Dallas Film Commission, and helping to evolve it into the Dallas Film and Creative Industries Office, within Visit Dallas. In January 2023, she assumed the role of Executive Director of the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts, and Culture where she elevates the city's profile as a hub for film, music, arts, and culture.

NATALIE BOWLING - Manager of Tulsa’s Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture Natalie Bowling is a University of Tulsa alumna, holds degrees in Marketing and Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Management. During her studies, she gained hands-on experience as an audio engineer, lighting designer, across various sectors of the music industry, including artist management companies, record labels, and the top talent agency, CAA (formerly ICM). Since joining Tulsa FMAC in 2021, Natalie has been instrumental in developing funding and advocacy initiatives for local musicians, including Tulsa On Tour, Play Tulsa Music Live, Creative Content Programs, and Tulsa Music Month.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: 

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