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Oklahoma Arts Council News

December 2014

Governor Fallin Recognizes Oklahomans for their Efforts During the 39th Annual Governor's Arts Awards

Fourteen individuals and seven organizations were recognized by Governor Mary Fallin for their efforts in the arts on Thursday, December 4 during the 39th annual Governor's Arts Awards at the State Capitol.

Honorees representing rural and metropolitan areas demonstrated the state's diverse arts and cultural industry. Award recipients included individuals and organizations from Walters in southwest Oklahoma to Miami in the northeast part of the state.

Oklahoma Arts Council executive director Amber Sharples said award recipients "exemplify the industrious nature and charitable spirit of citizens of our state." Sharples added, "What binds them together is their shared belief that arts enrich our lives and provide essential opportunities."

View the list of 2014 Governor's Arts Awards recipients. Nominations for the 2015 Governor's Arts Awards will be available in June.

Oklahoma Organizations Awarded $80,000 in Grants by National Endowment for the Arts

Five Oklahoma organizations have been awarded grants totaling $80,000 through the National Endowment for the Arts' (NEA) Art Works and Challenge America grant categories.

The Oklahoma Arts Council congratulates each of the following for earning support for their programs through their creative and visionary efforts in the arts:

  • Southeastern Oklahoma State University ($10,000) - community concerts and related activities in Durant, Oklahoma
  • Miami Tribe of Oklahoma ($10,000) - a multidisciplinary event to celebrate the culture of the Miami Nation
  • Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma ($10,000) - to support the premiere of "Bernice Bobs Her Hair," based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story
  • Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa ($40,000) - to support "Woven Matters," an exhibition, residency, and related activities featuring the works of Native American artists
  • Tulsa Symphony Orchestra ($10,000) - for the presentation of "This Land is Your Land: A Celebration of Woody Guthrie," in partnership with the Woody Guthrie Center

Learn about the NEA's Art Works and Challenge America grant categories here.

Read about the five Oklahoma programs that earned NEA grants by clicking here.

Apply for the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards

Get recognition for your after-school or out-of-school arts and humanities program for children and youth through the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards.

Programs sponsored by museums, libraries, performing arts organizations, educational institutions, arts centers, community service organizations, businesses, and eligible government entities may be eligible. Award-winning programs will receive $10,000 and an invitation to accept their award from First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House.

The President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, is inviting applications for the awards through February 2, 2015.

For more information on applying, click here.

Call for Artists: Statewide Youth Impressions Juried Art Show

Now through January 14, 2015, student artists across Oklahoma can submit entries for the Statewide Youth Impressions Juried Art Show, organized by the Fine Arts Institute of Edmond. Artists in grades 1 through 12 can submit up to two entries in pencil, ink, oil pastels, soft pastels, watercolor, acrylic, oil, print media, photography, mixed media, pottery, sculpture and/or fiberwork.

More than 60 awards may be presented to student artists including Awards of Excellence and Special Recognition Awards. Submitted artwork is grouped and judged in the following categories:

  • Grades 1-3
  • Grades 4-6
  • Grades 7-9
  • Grades 10-12

Deadline to enter is January 14, 5:00 p.m. Click here for competition details and a printable registration form.

Coming Soon: '2nd Tuesday Lunch' for Oklahoma's New and Emerging Arts Leaders

The Oklahoma Arts Council is pleased to announce the start of a monthly opportunity for new and emerging arts leaders in communities statewide.

Beginning Tuesday, January 13, emerging arts leaders ages 35 and younger or having less than five years of experience in the arts are invited to attend "2nd Tuesday Lunch" gatherings hosted by the ONEAL Network in communities across the state. Through "2nd Tuesday Lunch," new and emerging arts leaders can network and discuss the arts in their communities with Oklahoma Arts Council staff members and others.

Lunches will take place in a different community each month. The first "2nd Tuesday Lunch" will take place January 13 in Oklahoma City's Paseo Arts District.

For a full list of "2nd Tuesday Lunch" dates for 2015, visit the Oklahoma Arts Council website. Times and locations of each gathering will be announced soon. Stay up-to-date on ONEAL Network events by following @ONEALNetwork on Twitter.

About the ONEAL Network

The ONEAL (Oklahoma's New and Emerging Arts Leaders) Network is a free statewide network for arts leaders ages 35 and young or those with less than five years of experience in arts administration or the business of arts. The network provides peer support and resources for the next wave of arts leadership in Oklahoma.

O. Gail Poole's 'The First Immigrants (Mind of Man)' Added to State Art Collection

Members of the Governor-appointed Oklahoma Arts Council board have approved the addition of O. Gail Poole's "The First Immigrants (Mind of Man)" to the State Art Collection.

Completed by Poole in 1993, the surrealist work portrays a man seemingly lost in his own thoughts, contemplating his place in space and time, perhaps considering his role as patriarch in a long line of forefathers. The painting gives the State Art Collection a piece by an influential Oklahoma artist who embraced elements of surrealism.

Poole was born in Marlow, Oklahoma and later became a resident of Norman. His career as an artist spanned more than 50 years. An exhibition of his work is currently on display at [Artspace] at Untitled in Oklahoma City. "The First Immigrants (Mind of Man)" is on display with select works of the State Art Collection in the Betty Price Gallery in the Oklahoma State Capitol.

Read more about the life and legacy of Oklahoma artist O. Gail Poole in this article.

Learn more about Poole's painting, "The First Immigrants (Mind of Man)."