Cherokee Nation reports growth in cultural tourism, 411 artists and 16,000 guests through January

Molly Jarvis, the Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism representative, told the Culture Committee that the Nation’s cultural programs have continued to expand, recording more than 411 participating artists across public‑art bids, museum programs and other initiatives, and welcoming roughly 16,000 guests to cultural sites through January.

“The number continues to grow and really will kick off the tourism season later on in March,” Jarvis said, noting that restoration work at the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch is expected to finish around mid‑2026 and that renovations at the Anie Arts Center in Stillwell are nearly complete with a planned opening this summer.

Jarvis also flagged plans for a new heritage center with a groundbreaking expected in late 2026 and described family‑oriented activities scheduled for spring break, including scavenger hunts and take‑home arts projects. She said the department is tracking events that will drive the tourism season and will provide logistical details to committee members as available.

When members asked about retail or consignment opportunities at cultural sites, Jarvis said any new location would be evaluated through a business case and in the context of the Nation’s broader tourism strategy. “We would just do a business case for that,” she said when asked whether the department would be the decision maker for a gift‑shop location.

Jarvis also agreed to confirm and circulate a missing listing for the Water Crest festival date; she told members she would provide the date before the meeting ended.

The committee took no formal action on Jarvis’s report; members asked for additional event dates and business‑case analysis for potential retail opportunities.