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Oklahoma Arts Council News

January 2014

Arts & Culture Contribute $504 Billion to U.S. Gross Domestic Product

A new report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that arts and cultural production accounts for 3.2 percent - or $504 billion - of Gross Domestic Product. The report, released in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), included a statement from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker who said it was a first-of-its-kind analysis of the arts industry. Pritzker said it will help her office determine ways to grow the U.S. economy.

Arts-related sectors analyzed in the research included advertising (creative content), arts education, film and television production, performing arts, independent artists, designers and others.

Learn more about the study and the arts' role in the U.S. economy here.

Enid City Commissioners Approve New Public Art Program

Major city construction projects in Enid will soon include public art as a result of a unanimous vote by the Enid City Commission. Projects of $250,000 or more are included in the new ordinance, which dedicates 1 percent of a construction budget to a sculpture, mural or other artistic piece to enhance and benefit the community.

A seven-member Visual Arts Commission, which will include a member of the city commission, will oversee project approval. An option to allow an Enid youth to serve in a non-voting capacity was included.

With its approval of a public art program, Enid continues its focus on the arts for community development. As a result of his arts-related efforts, Enid Mayor Bill Shewey was a Public Service in the Arts recipient during the 2012 Governor's Arts Awards.

Related: Learn about a 2010 economic impact study of the arts in Enid.

'Our Town' Grants Available for Placemaking Projects

Applications for Our Town grants from the National Endowment for the Arts are due by January 13. Grants are awarded for placemaking projects that contribute to the livability of a community with the arts at the core.

In the past two years, projects in Oklahoma City and Tulsa have been awarded funding through the program.

Grants between $25,000 and $250,000 are available. Information about Our Town grants is available here.

Related: Four Oklahoma Organizations Earn National Arts Grants.

SMU Report Sheds Light on Nonprofit Arts Industry

The National Center for Arts Research at Southern Methodist University in Dallas has released its inaugural report, giving insight into the health of nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in America. The study explored factors such as contributed and earned revenue, expenses, marketing, community engagement and program activity in relation to organizational, community and cultural policy characteristics.

Findings of the report include:

  • Program revenue tends to be higher in communities with a higher number of foundations, hotels, restaurants and parks due to the complementary effect of the businesses.

  • Contributions increase with the number of employees and amount of expenses allocated to fundraising.

  • The average arts and cultural organization spends $4.11 to bring in one attendee.

  • The average arts and cultural organization engaged the equivalent of 10.3 percent of its local population.

Get more insight on the health of the nonprofit arts and cultural industry.

Grants Available from Children's Theatre Foundation of America

Small and mid-sized theaters presenting children and/or youth programming may be eligible for an Aurand Harris Grant through the Children's Theatre Foundation of America (CTFA). Grants of up to $5,000 are available for production expenses related to the premiere of a new play for young audiences, support for the establishment of a special production project, costs for a theater to send a new play to festivals or conventions, and more.

Interested theaters must complete a Request to Submit by January 15, 2014.

For information about Aurand Harris Grants, click here.

Council Seeks Arts Education Director

The Oklahoma Arts Council is seeking a full-time Director of Arts Education to oversee our school and community-based grant programs, advise constituents on program development, conduct site visits statewide and manage the Oklahoma Teaching Artist Roster.

Qualified applicants should have a bachelor's degree in arts administration, arts education, nonprofit management or a related field.

For more information about how to apply, click here. Deadline is to apply is January 10.

2014 Dates to Remember

With the start of another year, here are some important dates to remember during 2014:

Allan Houser Commemorated in State Art Collection

Widely considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, Allan Houser, will be celebrated throughout the state of Oklahoma during 2014 as part of a tribute to the 100th anniversary of his birth. Born in southwest Oklahoma to Chiricahua Apache parents, Houser's influence is seen in several works in the State Art Collection.

View select State Art Collection works in person by visiting the Betty Price Gallery located on the first floor of the Oklahoma state Capitol.

Works in the collection that commemorate Houser include: