Creative Industries at SOU

Southern Oregon University’s Creative Industries Capital Project will transform outdated facilities into a cutting-edge hub for media, music, and digital innovation. Ranked Oregon’s #2 capital proposal by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, this project will equip Oregon residents with high-demand skills, drive economic growth, and bolster the state’s reputation as a leader in creativity and innovation.

Why This Project Matters:

• Institutional Strength: MovieMaker Magazine has ranked SOU a Top 30 Film School in North America.
• Economic Driver: Creative industries generate $9.3B annually, supporting 62,000+ Oregon jobs.
• Industry-Aligned Education: Expands hands-on training in media and music production.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Upgrades SOU’s Music Building into a high-tech creative hub, expanding lab space for the rapidly growing Music Industry and Production major and other media programs.
• Sound of Success: Urgent acoustic upgrades to address unsafe decibel levels and other critical deficiencies identified in recent accreditation reports from NASM.
• Public-Private Partnerships & Community Engagement: Leverages regional collaborations and enhances a vital arts hub serving 30+ organizations, hosting 200+ events.
• Talent Retention: Provides industry-aligned spaces to keep Oregon’s top talent local.
• Creative Synergy: Unites music, media, and film for cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Sustainability Commitment: Features LEED renovations, efficient HVAC, and solar integration.

The approval of SOU’s $40.1M capital request for this transformative project will drive innovation, boost the economy, and secure Oregon’s place as a national leader in the Creative Industries. Let’s build the future — together!

Marc Overbeck
Director of Government Relations
503.999.6272
overbeckm@sou.edu