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Oklahoma Arts Council News

November 2014

Muskogee Grants Workshop and Arts Visioning Session Rescheduled

The grants workshop and visioning session originally scheduled for Muskogee on November 17 and cancelled due to hazardous weather has been rescheduled for Monday, November 24, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Workshop participants will learn tips on applying for Oklahoma Arts Council grants and get answers to grants-related questions. The two-hour workshop will include a listening session for participants to share their vision for the arts in the community and state with Oklahoma Arts Council staff. The workshop and visioning session is free and open to the public.

If you have not yet reserved a seat and would like to join us, please contact Whitney Moore, Grants Director, at grants@arts.ok.gov or (405) 521-2040.

Muskogee Grants Workshop and Arts Visioning Session
Monday, November 24
1:00 p.m. ? 3:00 p.m.
Muskogee Civic Center, Room A&B
425 Boston St., Muskogee 74401

O. Gail Poole Painting Added to State Art Collection

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OKLAHOMA CITY - Members of the Governor-appointed Oklahoma Arts Council board have approved the addition of O. Gail Poole's painting "The First Immigrants (Mind of Man)" to the State Art Collection. A gift of Oklahoma City businessman Roy Oliver to the people of Oklahoma, Poole's 1993 surrealist painting of a man seemingly lost in his own thoughts offers a glimpse into one man's mind as he contemplates his place in space and time.

Read the full news release...

2014 Governor's Arts Awards Winners Announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OKLAHOMA CITY (November 10, 2014) - The Oklahoma Arts Council has announced the names of 13 individuals and 7 organizations that will be honored for their contributions to Oklahoma's arts and cultural industry during the 39th annual Governor's Arts Awards.

Governor Mary Fallin will present the awards during a special ceremony at the Oklahoma state Capitol on Thursday, December 4. The ceremony will begin at 4:00 p.m. in the fourth floor rotunda. A reception on the Capitol's first floor will follow. The event is free and open to the public.

Read more...

Apply for the 2015 Leadership Arts Program

The Oklahoma Arts Council is accepting applications for the 2015 Leadership Arts program through Monday, December 2. Thirty individuals from communities statewide will be selected to participate in the program. More than 200 individuals have graduated from the program.

Each year, Leadership Arts equips individuals to be leaders and advocates for the arts in their communities. Focusing on the arts' role in economic development, education, and quality of life, four spring sessions bring participants together in communities throughout the state. Participants graduate during the Oklahoma Arts Conference in the fall.

2015 locations and dates include:

  • February 25-26 (Chickasaw Retreat & Cultural Center in Sulphur)
  • March 25-26 (Guthrie)
  • April 22-23 (Bartlesville)
  • May 20-21 (Oklahoma City)
  • October 21-22 (2015 Oklahoma Arts Conference in Tulsa)

Apply to become a member of the 2015 Leadership Arts program.

39th Annual Governor's Arts Awards Set for December 4

The 39th annual Governor's Arts Awards will take place Thursday, December 4 in the fourth floor rotunda of the Oklahoma state Capitol. The event begins at 4:00 p.m. and will be followed by a reception in the first floor rotunda at 5:00 p.m.

Governor Mary Fallin will honor several individuals and organizations whose exceptional efforts in the arts have impacted communities and the state. Winners are expected to be announced soon.

Join us on December 4 at the state Capitol for this special occasion!

Arts Council to Host Grant Workshops, Visioning Sessions throughout Oklahoma

Oklahoma Arts Council staff members are embarking on a series of grantwriting workshops and "visioning" sessions in communities throughout the state, and we want to hear from you!
Free workshops in different Oklahoma communities will offer you the opportunity to hear tips on applying for Oklahoma Arts Council grants and get answers to your grants-related questions. The two-hour workshops will include listening sessions for you to share with us the vision you have for the arts in your community and the state.

Upcoming workshops include:

Tulsa (November 4, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
Lawton (November 5, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Muskogee (November 17, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
Woodward (November 19, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Oklahoma City (November 21, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

Details about the workshops and information about reserving a seat are available here.

Cultural Exchange Programs Eligible for Support through NALAC

Programs that support, preserve, or extend cultural practices between the United States and Latin American countries may be eligible for grant funding from the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC). Through the asssociation's Transnational Cultural Remittances program, individuals, collectives, and community-based organizations can apply for grants ranging from $2,000 to $20,000. The goal of the program is to extend cultural knowledge across borders and foster ongoing exchange of knowledge, customs, and creativity.

View guidelines for the Transnational Cultural Remittances program.

Bloomberg Philanthropies Announces Public Art Challenge Totaling $1 Million

Bloomberg Philanthropies is offering a total of $1 million for innovative public art programs that celebrate creativity, enhance urban identity, encourage public-private partnerships, and drive economic development.
Cities with more than 30,000 residents are eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted by the mayor or chief executive of the host city on behalf of a collaboration between the city and an artist or arts organization.

Deadline to apply for the Public Art Challenge is December 15. Visit the Bloomberg Philanthropies website for details.

High Schools Invited to Take Part in Vans Custom Culture Competition

A competition to inspire students to embrace their creativity and bring awareness to the importance of arts education, Vans Custom Culture is open to high school art classes nationwide. Through the program, schools receive four pairs of Vans shoes for students to use as canvases for their creativity based on different themes. Fifty semi-finalists will be selected for online voting, and the winning school will receive a $50,000 to their art program.

Schools can begin registering their school for the competition beginning January 6.

View program details and learn how your school can participate.

Applications Now Being Accepted for The Big Read

Now through January 28, the National Endowment for the Arts is accepting applications for its program that supports community-wide reading programs, The Big Read. Nonprofit organizations, divisions of state, local, and tribal government, and tax-exempt public libraries are eligible to apply.

Programs that are supported through The Big Read include author readings, book discussions, art exhibitions, lectures, film series, music or dance events, theatrical performances, panel discussions, and other events related to the community's chosen book or poet.

Learn more about The Big Read and apply for the program.

Anthony Quinn Foundation Offering Arts Education Scholarships

Now through January 5, high school students who have exceptional talent and a strong commitment to artistic growth can apply for scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 from the Anthony Quinn Foundation. Scholarships support students' efforts to attend a pre-college or arts education program, emphasizing the following areas:

  • Visual Art & Design
  • Dance, Theatre, Singing, Instrumental
  • Media Arts
  • Literary Arts

More information and a link to the application are available here.