ODESSA, Texas — Education leaders were at the Ellen Noel Art Museum to talk to the community about the effect of the museum's expansion and renovation Tuesday.
Dr. Ray Perryman provided the report on behalf of the Ellen Noel Art Museum, showing the increased economic benefits that will soon come with the expansion. Titled “Enhancing the Arts and Opportunities in the Permian Basin”, this new study was conducted in May of 2024.
The study estimates that the construction renovation stage will lead to an increase in business activity in the Odessa area of more than $17 million in gross product - an increase of $9.4 million since March 2021 - and 163 job-years by workers.
At the event, not only were there discussions about how art opportunities affect Odessa, but how it affects the Permian Basin as a whole. Specifically how art can provide an impact on someone's life decisions.
"There's a young gentleman teaching those kids right now; he was an art baby," said UTPB Associate Professor of Art Chris Stanley. "His mom and dad were art majors. We're now exporting our talent to schools all over the country. The question is when do we bring them back? The answer is yes."
Stanley showed a list of students who went to UTPB and are now teaching at Midland ISD and Ector County ISD.
Construction is still underway at the museum, and it has been operating at UTPB for about a year and a half.