Oklahoma Arts Council News
June 2011
'ONEAL Deal' Scheduled for OKC's Broadway Theatre
Join members of the ONEAL Network on Thursday, June 30 at Oklahoma City's Broadway Theatre for the next ONEAL Deal event. Hear how young leaders have worked to transform their creative visions into successful arts programs in Oklahoma City.
Jennifer James, director of the new organization, Oklahomans for the Arts will present information on how ONEAL members can get involved with arts advocacy locally and nationally. Participants will learn more about how the arts significantly impact the local economy. This is a great opportunity to learn about the ONEAL network and meet other arts leaders in Oklahoma.
There is no cost to attend. For questions, please contact Molly O'Connor: molly.oconnor@arts.ok.gov or 405-521-2025.
When: June 30, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Broadway Theatre, 1613 N. Broadway, OKC (map)
Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director, Suzanne Tate Announces Retirement
After 20 years of service to the State of Oklahoma, Suzanne Tate, executive director of the Oklahoma Arts Council has announced her retirement. Tate's retirement will be effective November 1.
"It's been a privilege serving Oklahoma by leading the agency that supports and develops the state's arts and cultural industry," said Tate.
Tate joined the state agency in 1991 as deputy director and was selected to take over as executive director in 2007.
Click here to read the full news release
New Organization to Advocate for Arts Funding
Oklahomans for the Arts, a newly formed nonprofit organization, will educate legislators, civic leaders and the public about the impact of public funding for the arts in Oklahoma. An announcement about the group's creation was made on May 16 with media in Oklahoma City and Tulsa covering the story (view the News 9 story). The group will be the state's first formal arts advocacy organization, and will begin a membership drive during the Oklahoma Arts Conference in October.
"I'm pleased to welcome Oklahomans for the Arts to the scene, and I encourage every individual involved in the arts in our state to consider becoming members of this important organization," said Oklahoma Arts Council executive director, Suzanne Tate.
Click here to learn more about Oklahomans for the Arts. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter! Look for their membership drive to begin this fall.
Budget Cuts Announced
When the new fiscal year (FY2012) begins on July 1 the Oklahoma Arts Council will have less money to fund arts programs around the state. Appropriations from the state legislature, which make up 80 percent of Council funding, will be 9 percent less than fiscal year 2011. The Council's NEA grant, totaling 20 percent of the budget, will be reduced by 8.5 percent.
While cuts were expected, the 9 percent reduction in state appropriations was higher than cuts for most agencies (3 to 7 percent). The Council's budget is down 22 percent from 2009 - a total of almost $1.4 million.
Read more about budget cuts on the Oklahoma Arts Information Center.
New NEA Media Arts Grant
A new National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant is available to support the development, production, and national distribution of innovative media projects about the arts and media projects that can be considered works of art. The Arts in Media grant broadens a previous grant category (The Arts on Radio and Television) to include all available media platforms, including the Internet, interactive and mobile technologies and more. Grants ranging from $10,000 to $200,000 will be awarded. Deadline is September 1, 2011.
Learn more about the grant.
Leadership Arts in OKC
The final session of 2011 Leadership Arts was held in Oklahoma City on May 19 and 20. In addition to group activities and panel discussions, class members toured the State Capitol and the Plaza District, and visited the Boathouse District where award-winning architect, Rand Elliot discussed the importance of design in developing the area. Leadership Arts members will graduate from the program during the Oklahoma Arts Conference in the fall.
If you or someone from your organization would like training on becoming a leader in the arts in your community, joining over 120 others who have graduated from the program, consider applying to be a member of the 2012 Leadership Arts class (applications will be accepted beginning fall 2011).
Blue Star Museums Initiative Returns
For the second year in a row families and members of the United States' armed forces will have access to over 1000 museums nationwide through the Blue Star Museums initiative. The program provides active duty military personnel and their families free admission to participating museums from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Participating Oklahoma museums include:
The American Banjo Museum (Bricktown OKC)
Cherokee National Historical Society (Tahlequah)
Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (Norman)
National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum (OKC)
Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art (Shawnee)
Price Tower Arts Center (Bartlesville)
Philbrook Museum of Art (Tulsa)
(see complete list of participating Oklahoma museums)