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Cultural Compass Consulting

Strategic direction for creative impact

It has been a true pleasure collaborating with Randy over the past five years. Together, we’ve built a meaningful partnership that continues to bring sustainable, high-quality arts programming to the Odessa community through Dallas Black Dance Theatre's, 

DBDT :Encore!. Randy’s vision, leadership, unwavering dedication and steadfast commitment to the arts in Odessa have been instrumental in fostering a vibrant cultural landscape.

 

Nycole Ray

DBDT: Encore! Artistic Director

Qualifications & Leadership Roles

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  • Executive Director, Odessa Arts

  • Secretary, Texans for the Arts

  • Chair, Arts Advocacy Day, Texans for the Arts

  • Board Member, Theater Network of Texas

  • Board Member, Ector County Library Foundation

  • Public Art Consultant, University of Texas Permian Basin

  • Music Friendly Texas – West Texas Regional Chair

  • Cultural District Recognition, Texas Commission on the Arts (Odessa)

  • Former Librarian, Ector County Library and ECISD

About Randy Ham

Randy Ham is a respected leader in the Texas arts and library community, known for his ability to bridge creativity, strategy, and civic engagement. With over two decades of experience in arts administration, fundraising, and literacy initiatives, he brings a holistic understanding of how culture drives community development.

 

As Executive Director of Odessa Arts, Randy has led citywide cultural planning, secured millions in municipal and private funding, and achieved Cultural District Recognition from the Texas Commission on the Arts. He serves as Secretary of Texans for the Arts, Chair of Arts Advocacy Day, and Music Friendly Texas West Texas Regional Chair, representing the voice of artists and organizations at the state level.

 

Randy’s consulting work extends to universities, libraries, and municipalities, including his role as Public Art Consultant for the University of Texas Permian Basin, where he guides the integration of art into public spaces. He is the founder of One Book Odessa and Books in the Basin, two signature literacy initiatives that connect readers, writers, and institutions across West Texas.

 

Known for his dynamic public speaking and advocacy training, Randy empowers organizations to articulate their value, expand their funding capacity, and strengthen their community impact.

 

Through Cultural Compass Consulting, Randy helps communities, non-profits, and institutions chart their path forward in the arts, building lasting impact through strategy, storytelling and sustainable growth. 

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Services

Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) & Arts Funding

  • Guidance on eligible uses under Texas law

  • Designing arts grant programs funded by HOT

  • Advising city councils, cvb's and tourism offices on arts funding strategies

  • Accountability, reporting and program evaluation

Cultural District & Public Art

  • Cultural District designation support

  • Public art program development

  • Creative placemaking strategies

  • Best practices for civic arts engagement

Strategic Planning & Facilitation

  • Strategic and cultural plans

  • Visioning retreats for boards and leadership teams

  • Community engagement through surveys, focus groups and listening sessions

  • Organizational assessments

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