Member Spotlight: Victoria McArtor, MUSED. Organization

36°N member Victoria McArtor is the cofounder of MUSED. Organization. MUSED. is Tulsa's only poetry and collaborative arts nonprofit. Their mission is to create a community of better readers– not only of poetry– but also of our thoughts, our actions and our social responsibilities.

How, where and when do you get your best ideas?
Walking around downtown in the early fall; discussing ideas with good company over fine wine and aged cheese while reading quietly on the couches at 36 Degrees North.

What's a work tool or ritual that you couldn't live without?
Google maps and Google calendar have completely replaced my internal compass; a 1,500 page Microsoft Word document (containing magical phrases and philosophies from an assortment of authors much more creative than myself) serves as my inspiration; and my favorite ritual (when I'm in town) is reading the paper in the morning with a group of retired guys at Cafe Cubana and drinking (too many) lattes.

What skill would you like to master?
Speaking other languages, playing the piano, remembering names, compartmentalization and being present.

What advice would you give to someone seeking to launch or grow a business?
HANDwrite your mission, vision and value statements. Writing requires you to use more of your motor skills and a collection of links around your brain called the “reading circuit.” It helps keep you more focused, which will naturally un-frazzle your brain from distractions. It helps you remember more clearly. And since writing puts to work more parts of your mind than typing, it encourages more creativity.

What's a big "win" you experienced in the past year?
We hosted a dozen Poetry Karaoke events at Magic City Books. We curated our inaugural "Presidential Poetry" fundraiser in December that increased our donations ten fold. I am feeling more comfortable delegating, so we've hired several ambassadors who help us expand far and wide. And we received a survey result from a kiddo at Street School who, in response to the question "How can the Reverse Selfie Project improve?" said "Nothing, it's perfect."

What are you most looking forward to in the year to come?
The unknown.

Why 36 Degrees North?
The early morning light as it floods through the front windows. The coffee hot. The relationships even more warming.

Do you want to give any shoutouts?
David, Sarah and OSU's Riata Center -thanks for keeping my butt in the seat, my mind researching and my fingers dialing for donations.
Dustin- you'll be so dang missed.
"Podcast"- you know who you are. Even though we don't cheers enough, you know you inspire.