About ARTS Oil City

ARTS Oil City is an initiative of the City of Oil City.  It invests in the idea of community revitalization through the arts, and it builds on the efforts of the well-established Oil City Arts Council.

Artist relocation incentives have attracted over 60 artists to relocate to Oil City since 2006.  The impact of their creative energy can be seen in downtown galleries, festivals, and concert series, as well as in live-work-gallery spaces in residential neighborhoods.

Artist studios fill much of the historic National Transit Building, creating a central arts  hub in the north side business district.  The momentum has drawn creative businesses to the downtown and to the adjacent neighborhoods.  Since the program’s inception, the business district has welcomed several cafes, a custom tailoring shop, a quilt shop, a printer, and two galleries.  A pottery studio and a vaudeville theater restoration are in development.