Skip navigation

Oklahoma Arts Council News

August 2015

2015 Conference Registration Now Open

Registration for the 2015 Oklahoma Arts Conference is now open! Be sure to register through September 18 to take advantage of the earlybird rate of $85. The rate increases to $135 after September 18.
In addition to sessions led by national and local expert presenters and panelists, the conference features networking events, interactive activities, community tours, and more. The annual conference draws more than 400 individuals who are involved in the arts across the state, including artists, arts administrators, board members, community developers, city leaders, educators, and art supporters.

View the conference schedule (more to be announced soon!).

Reserve your room at the Hyatt Regency Tulsa (room availability is limited).

Click here to register.

August 7 Deadline for Governor's Arts Awards

This Friday, August 7, is the deadline to submit nominations for the 2015 Governor's Arts Awards. The 40th annual event will be hosted this fall at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

Each year, individuals and organizations are recognized for their unique contributions to the arts in their communities or across the state. Nominations are encouraged from communities of all sizes and regions of Oklahoma.

Awards are presented in several categories, including business, community service, education, media, and public service (local and state government officials), and the prestigious Governor's Award.

? Submit an online nomination.

? Download a nomination form.

Click here for information about the Governor's Arts Awards.

Survey Feedback Will Help Us Develop Strategic Plan

Every five years, the Oklahoma Arts Council creates a strategic plan to guide our agency's efforts and ensure our accountability to the citizens of our state. Over the past many months, we have been gathering information through a series of board discussions, community surveys, forums, and workshops. We have completed our research for arts education, but we have more work to do before we present a plan to our Governor-appointed board.

In the next few days, we will be sending surveys via email to several distinct groups that are served through our grants and programs. If you receive one of these surveys, please take a few moments to provide us your invaluable feedback.

Your input is vital to a strategic plan that will impact Oklahoma's arts and cultural industry.

PLEDGE ON!: Recommit to Serving Individuals with Disabilities

On July 26, 2015, the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) turned 25 years old. In conjunction with the commemoration of the passage of the act, the ADA National Network is urging individuals and organizations across the nation to sign its PLEDGE ON! campaign. By completing a brief form, individuals and organizations can become part of a nationwide celebration and recommitment to the ADA.

At the heart of the Oklahoma Arts Council's mission is the goal of making the arts, and the benefits of the arts, available to all Oklahomans. We encourage individuals and organizations involved in the arts across the state to join us in committing to this goal.

Click here to PLEDGE ON! to the ADA.

Oklahoma Organizations Earn Artistic Innovations Grants

Two Oklahoma arts organizations have earned grants from the Mid-America Arts Alliance to support the creation of new work through Mid-America's Artistic Innovations grant program. Each organization will receive $15,000 to underwrite direct expenses related to the art-making process and public premiere of the work.

Oklahoma grantees for fiscal year 2016 are:

Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center - for programming at The Showroom, an innovative space built from shipping containers in an emerging cultural corridor in Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma Family Center for Autism (dba AutismOklahoma.org) - to support a series of animated short film workshops for young adults with autism.
Funding for Mid-America's Artistic Innovations program is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. Mid- America Arts Alliance programs are made possible in Oklahoma through a partnership with the Oklahoma Arts Council.

Click here to learn how individuals and organizations can apply for the Artistic Innovations grant program.

Your Town Can Host a Music Series through Levitt Pavilions Grants

A matching grant program offered by Levitt Pavilions aims to boost community pride, enrich lives, and illustrate the importance of vibrant public places.
Uniquely designed to meet the needs of small and mid-sized towns with populations of up to 400,000, Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards help bring free live music to people across the United States.
Nonprofit organizations or municipalities that partner with nonprofit organziations are eligible to apply. Grantees receive up to $25,000 in matching funds to present the Levitt AMP [Your City] Music Series in their community.

Learn more about the Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards.

Classroom Enhancement Grants Available for Arts Education in Southern Oklahoma Districts

With the goal of improving the quality of life in designated southern Oklahoma communities, the Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation is offering a special program to enhance the classroom experience in select school districts.

During the 2015-16 school year, the foundation is offering grants of up to $5,000 for projects that enrich the teaching environment, including arts activities. Projects can have a classroom or school-wide focus. Grants for student field trips, guest speakers or performers are strongly encouraged.

Learn more about Classroom Enhancement Grants.

NEA Research Grants

Nonprofit organizations, state and local government entities, federally recognized tribes, and colleges and universities play a vital role in advancing our understanding of the value and impact of the arts.

Recognizing the potential for these entities to help in the knowledge-building process, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is offering Research: Art Works grants to eligible entities nationwide. Studies can focus on a variety of issues using an array of methods.

Examples of research that has been funded by the NEA are available here.

Visit the Research: Art Works page on the NEA website for details. Deadline to apply is October 20.