Oklahoma Arts Council News
March 2026
Oklahoma Arts Council Awarded $77,500 to Support Creative Aging Efforts Statewide
The Oklahoma Arts Council (OAC) has been awarded funding toward its efforts to support creative aging opportunities across the state. In February, the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA), in collaboration with the E.A. Michelson Philanthropy, announced awards totaling more than $2 million to 28 state arts agencies through the Creative Aging, Creative Futures initiative. The funding will help agencies promote creativity, learning, well-being, and social engagement for older adults. Awards of $77,500 were granted to each state arts agency.
NASAA and the E.A. Michelson Philanthropy were integral to the launch of the Oklahoma Arts Council's Creative Aging Initiative in 2021, after the agency received $60,000 in funding through their previous collaboration. The OAC initiative has featured three Creative Aging Exchange events, webinars with nationally-recognized speakers, a new partnership grant category for creative aging programs, and more.
Creative aging is gaining awareness across the health, social service, and arts sectors for health and wellness benefits the offer for the nation's aging population.
RELATED: Register for the 2026 Oklahoma Arts and Health Summit
Register Now! Attend the 2026 Oklahoma Arts and Health Summit
Registration is now open for the 2026 Oklahoma Arts and Health Summit. Taking place Thursday, May 21, at the University of Oklahoma's OU Health campus in Oklahoma City, the first-ever summit will feature local and national speakers involved in emerging research and practices at the intersection of arts and health. Arts organizations, teaching artists, healthcare professionals, and others who attend will discover the latest in data and trends. Dr. Tasha Golden, an international expert in creativity and wellbeing will be the featured keynote.
Mark your calendars for this important summit to learn how your work in the arts can grow in this increasingly essential area.
2026 Oklahoma Arts and Health Summit
May 21, 2026
8:00 a.m.: Coffee and Networking
9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Sessions
Nicholson Tower
OU Health
Oklahoma City
Register here (no cost)
Stay tuned for full details about the schedule and speakers!
Made possible in part by special funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and through a grant from the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET).
Celebrate Bob Wills Day at the Capitol on March 9
Bob Wills Day returns to the Oklahoma State Capitol for another year of music and more, recognizing the life and legacy of the "King of Western Swing" who helped popularize the music genre during the 1930s and 1940s. The public is invited to attend the day-long festivities on March 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. There is no cost to attend.
Presented by the Oklahoma Arts Council and Oklahoma Historical Society, with support from the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, Bob Wills Day at the Capitol features live music, exhibitors, dancing, and special recognitions of Wills' family by the state Legislature.
This year's performers include:
- Jay Steagall & The Part-Timers
- Bob Wills' Texas Playboys under the direction of Jason Roberts
- Katie Shore
- Hank Thompson's Brazos Valley Boys under the direction of Morey Sullivan
- Jana Jae
- Oklahoma Swing
The day will also feature a Western fashion contest with prizes in male and female categories for best Western shirt, bolo/tie, skirt/dress, and boots.
Bob Wills Day at the Capitol is made possible in part by support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
March 15 Deadlines for Two Oklahoma Arts Council Grant Programs
The deadline for two partnership grant opportunities from the Oklahoma Arts Council (OAC) is approaching. Funding of up to $30,000 is available through grant programs designed to bring the arts to Oklahomans in uniquely impactful ways. Organizations receiving funding from the Oklahoma Arts Council in other grant programs may be eligible for partnership grants.
Learn more about each funding opportunity below:
Arts in Alternative Education Community Partnership Grants – offers up to $30,000 to support nonprofit arts organizations in leveraging their creative resources and expertise to work with school sites designated as Alternative Education sites by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Students in these school sites are at greater risk of not completing high school. The arts have been shown to improve their classroom engagement and increase their chances of success in school and beyond
Creative Aging Partnership Grants – offers up to $30,000 to nonprofit organizations, local and tribal governments, colleges, and public libraries. These grants support learning-based programs serving older Oklahomans, a fast-growing segment of the population. Creative aging programs are shown to have health and wellness benefits.
The application deadline for both grant programs is March 15.
Creative Aging Partnership Grants are made possible in part through funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET).
New Program Alert! Heartland Craft Guilds: Capacity Support Grants
Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA) has announced a new grant program that will soon offer unrestricted funding for nonprofit craft guilds and other organizations that practice, preserve, and sustain craft traditions and hands-on making. Heartland Craft Guilds: Capacity Support Grantswill provide funding of $12,000 to eligible organizations in Oklahoma and M-AAA's six-state region. Grantees will also receive peer learning opportunities, coaching, workshops, and more.
Applications will open on March 23. Deadline for submissions will be May 15.
Teachers Can Bring High School Students to Creative Careers Day at Oklahoma Contemporary
An upcoming half-day interactive workshop being offered by Oklahoma Contemporary in Oklahoma City will give high school students the chance to connect with and learn from creative professionals. Oklahoma Contemporary's ARTS LAB: Creative Careers will take place March 31, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event will give students an inside look at the daily activities and career path considerations of working in the arts. Students will gain insight for making decisions about their futures. Focus areas include visual art, dance, theater/drama, and film.
Students attend as part of a school group, with teachers and chaperones required. There is no cost to participate; however, teachers must register student groups in advance. Capacity is limited and registration is first-come, first served. The experience is designed for grades 9-12.
Students: What Does America Mean to You? Bookmark Competition Announced by National Endowment for the Arts
Students in grades K-8 have the unique opportunity to celebrate America's 250th birthday in 2026 by participating in the National Endowment for the Arts' (NEA) Bookmark Design Challenge. In partnership with the Office of the Second Lady of the United States, the NEA is accepting submissions for the design competition through March 31. For the competition, students create original, hand-drawn bookmarks showing what America means to them. From history and cultural heritage to symbols of hope, important people, and more, designs can incorporate students' meaningful and creative ideas.
To participate, parents or guardians can complete the NEA online submission form and download instructions for uploading their student's design. Three national winners will be selected in each grade group. Winning designs will be featured on the NEA website and the bookmarks will be printed and distributed to the public at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C. Learn how to participate at arts.gov.
Deadline to submit designs is March 31.
Register for Oklahomans for the Arts' 2026 Arts Day at Capitol
Registration is now open for this spring's Oklahoma Arts Day at the state Capitol. Presented by the nonprofit arts advocacy organization, Oklahomans for the Arts (OFTA), this special convening brings together organizations, artists, educators, and others who champion the arts in our state for a day full of advocacy activities, programming, and celebration.
Organizations and individuals can register now for the event. Organizations can reserve tabling space. Details about the day's schedule will be announced by OFTA soon.
Arts Day at the Capitol
Presented by Oklahomans for the Arts
April 30, 2026
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Register here
Apply for Hart Family Fund for Small Towns
Seed money for preservation projects in towns with populations of 10,000 or less is available through the Hart Family Fund for Small Towns. Grants ranging up to $15,000 are awarded to support planning activities and education efforts focused on preservation. Examples of eligible activities include contracting with architects, preservation planners, real estate development consultants and others. Community forums to develop a shared vision for historic neighborhoods may also be supported.
Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofit organizations. Applications are facilitated through the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Deadline for submissions is May 1.