We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Stacy Keith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Stacy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Lubbock Cultural Arts Foundation manages the Lubbock Music Friendly Community certification. This designation is given to a city by the Texas Music Office. The purpose of the certification is to recognize communities who have a meaningful music scene and industry – one that has impacted and continues to impact many musicians throughout generations.

When the certification was awarded to Lubbock in 2020, one of the newly formed Music Advisory Committee members said that they wanted it to be more than a seal on a sign – that he wanted us to really DO something with this emblem. We in turn responded to that and used the committee and the newly acquired designation to launch a professional development series which included a music event and day of workshops. These professional development opportunities engage young musicians as the audience and established musicians as the mentors and instructors. We have served hundreds of musicians through this programming over the last 4 years and continue to grow and develop them. Some of the topics include – Venue Relationships, Financial Management, Touring, and Live Sound Engineering. We are making an impact in the lives of musicians and also giving them a point of connection and relationship as they learn from one another.

LCAF also manages the Film Friendly Community Certification from the Texas Film Commission. This program is also vital to the Lubbock community as we work to develop the film industry in the Hub City and make filming in Lubbock as easy as we can for visiting productions. This program has been able to begin to build community for our film professionals, support the Flatland Film Festival and encourage independent film makers.

Stacy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

The Lubbock Cultural Arts Foundation began in April 2020, just as the impact of the COVID19 pandemic began. Arts organizations were closed, musicians and artists were homebound, and the arts and culture industries were deeply impacted. LCAF took this time of pause to work toward the Music Friendly Community designation knowing this would be a lift for the Lubbock music industry – many of whom had worked quietly on this designation for many years. Once restrictions were lifted and Lubbock was open, LCAF began its work of networking events (some by Zoom) and professional development opportunities (also held virtually). LCAF also worked with the City of Lubbock to acquire the Texas Film Friendly certification for Lubbock and created a pathway for administration of ARPA funds specifically for arts organizations and artists.

LCAF began to look at ways to partner with the city to create some impactful projects and an artistic crosswalk resulted in July 2021 outside the amazing Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences. LCAF also began attending and covering events, creating blogs on artists and art venues, and supporting and nurturing the arts and culture of Lubbock.

Now, LCAF serves approximately 700 people each year through its programs. It not only manages the Texas Music Friendly Certification for Lubbock, but also the Texas Film Friendly certification and is currently working toward the Digital Media Friendly Certification as well. LCAF also manages a calendar on our website to offer promotion and marketing for arts and culture events.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Lubbock, Texas is often times seen as a well-kept secret. People visit our community and are amazed at the thriving arts scene, the music history and all of the wonderful things we have to offer. I think our mission at LCAF is to work alongside others to get that story out. Lubbock is a magical place for creatives. With low cost of living and an arts community which truly embraces each other, we tend to really nurture talent. Not just music, but also visual arts and other performing arts, can find support and stages in our city.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Lubbock Cultural Arts Foundation began 2020 and social media was one of the first things we began to use to market. I think why we have been successful is because we’re outward looking with our social media content. We tend to celebrate and announce things happening in the creative economy. From shows and concerts, to grants and funding opportunities, we work hard to lift up the industry and celebrate the people within it. We are also responsive to comments and communication through social in order to continually engage our audience. We are lucky to contract with a private social media company, Design Envy, which helps our efforts through social media strategy and editing. They are a key partner in our success. The purpose of our social media is really to promote the creative sector of Lubbock and lift up its creatives. What’s not to love about that?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lubbockculturalarts.org
• Instagram: Lubbock Cultural Arts
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LubbockCulturalArts/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/68231911/admin/dashboard/
• Twitter: @ArtsLubbock
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0yfxmQARViORZOL8rxV1hA