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Oklahoma Arts Council News

March 2012

Alva "Artist Day" set for April 4

Artists, students, arts leaders and administrators in northwest Oklahoma are invited to be a part of Artist Day in Alva on April 4. A day of workshops, panel presentations, networking and development opportunities will start at 10 a.m. and run through 5 p.m. at the Graceful Arts Center located downtown. The free forum will include:

  • Learn how to "Photograph Your Work" with Kelsey Karper from the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition
  • Hear about "Successful Art Making in Oklahoma" in a panel discussion featuring artists from Oklahoma Lady Artists
  • Gain valuable insight into grants, artist rosters, professional development opportunities, networking support and resources offered by the Oklahoma Arts Council and the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition
  • Enjoy a reception in the brand new Graceful Arts Gallery and Studios. Connect with artists while enjoying art and hors d'oeuvres.

Reserve your place by contacting Ken Kelsey at kdkelsey@nwosu.edu or (580) 603-0103.

For questions contact Molly O'Connor of the Oklahoma Arts Council at molly.oconnor@arts.ok.gov or (405) 521-2025.

Governor appoints four to Oklahoma Arts Council

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin has appointed four individuals from around the state to the Oklahoma Arts Council. The 15-member Council oversees the operations of the state agency that supports and develops Oklahoma's $314.8 million nonprofit arts and cultural industry. Members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the state Senate. New Council members include:

Susan Coles (Oklahoma City) - former owner of Coles Garden in Oklahoma City
Ann Hargis (Stillwater) - First Lady of Oklahoma State University
Nancy Leonard (Oklahoma City) - former executive director of Leadership Oklahoma
J.P. Richard (Lawton) - businessman and board member of several area organizations

Council executive director, Kim Baker said she is looking forward to working closely with the new Council members and is excited to have such an experienced group joining the eleven current members.

Regional artist networking forum in Ada

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
March 19, 2012

MEDIA CONTACT:
Joel Gavin
Director of Marketing and Communications
(405) 521-2037
joel.gavin@arts.ok.gov

Oklahoma City - Artists and art students of all disciplines are invited to attend a free forum in Ada to learn more about grants, services, and resources available to artists in Oklahoma. The forum will take place Tuesday, March 27 at East Central University?s Horace Mann Room 225. The meeting will start at 3 p.m. and end by 5:30 p.m.

Staff from the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition and Oklahoma Arts Council will present professional development information that can help artists advance their career opportunities.

For questions or to RSVP, contact Bridget Forshay at bforshay@ecok.edu or 580-559-5296.

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Americans for the Arts preconference scholarships available

A proud supporter of the arts in Oklahoma, NBC Bank is pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships for new and emerging arts leaders (including ONEAL members) who are interested in attending the Americans for the Arts Convention, June 7-10, 2012 in San Antonio, TX. Scholarships will provide financial assistance of $625 specifically for persons attending the Emerging Leaders Preconference, which will take place on Thursday, June 7th.

About the Emerging Leaders Preconference
Americans for the Arts is excited for the return of the Emerging Leaders Preconference in 2012. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain the best leadership development in order to fulfill both your organization's mission and your personal career goals. Attend jam-packed sessions alongside other emerging leaders from across the country to discuss one's role in the broader community and discover the path from arts professional to community leader.

To be considered for a scholarship, please send an email to Molly O'Connor, director of outreach and community arts programs at the Oklahoma Arts Council: molly.oconnor@arts.ok.gov no later than Monday, April 2, 2012.

The subject line for the email must be: "Americans for the Arts Emerging Leaders Scholarship." The email must include the following information:

  • Your Name

  • Your Organization (if applicable)

  • Mailing Address

  • Email Address

  • Phone Number

  • Are you currently a member of Americans for the Arts?

  • Briefly describe in less than 300 words why you are interested in attending the 2012 Americans for the Arts Convention.

Convention information is available at: http://convention.artsusa.org. For questions about this scholarship opportunity, please contact Molly O'Connor, director of outreach and community arts programs at the Oklahoma Arts Council: 405-521-2025 or molly.oconnor@arts.ok.gov.

Roster artist selected for U.S. State Department program

Kyle Dillingham and his band, Horseshoe Road are known around Oklahoma for their renowned bluegrass talents. Those talents will soon be known worldwide thanks to their selection as one of only 12 bands nationwide to be cultural ambassadors for the U.S Department of State. Horsehoe Road is a member of the Oklahoma Arts Council's Performing Artist Roster.

Read about the program and how Horseshoe Road will serve as a U.S. cultural ambassador.

How do the arts impact Oklahoma?

Many of you are part of Oklahoma's $314.8 million nonprofit arts and cultural industry, so you know the hard work and dedication that goes into serving your organization and your community through the arts. We at the Oklahoma Arts Council are happy to partner with you to serve our state and make it a culturally dynamic place to live and visit. Though we are the stewards of public funding for the arts, 80 percent of our budget goes right back into Oklahoma communities where you put it to work. Thank you for all you do to serve Oklahoma through the arts!

See 5 ways our funding impacts Oklahoma.

Download and share the PDF.

*Be sure to share your thoughts on public funding for the arts with your elected officials

Are you a member of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits?

If you or your nonprofit arts and cultural organization is not part of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofit alliance, now may be the time to take a closer look. The alliance, formed in 2008, offers a variety of membership benefits for organizations and individuals statewide. Benefits include discounted training seminars, networking opportunities, group-buying discount programs, and a united voice that advocates for the nonprofit sector. The alliance also tracks state and national legislation that could impact you.

Here are some of the benefits of being a member:

  • Standards for Excellence program

  • Training sessions (topics include grant writing, marketing/PR, fundraising, advocacy)

  • Discounts at Office Depot (up to 40%), Dell computers (up to 30%), and more

Membership costs vary between $100 and $500, depending on organizational revenue.

Visit the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits website to learn more about membership.

Arts Day at the Capitol

Our friends at Oklahomans for the Arts are planning the first ever Arts Day at the Capitol on Monday, April 30! They are inviting everyone involved in the Oklahoma arts scene to join them in highlighting the industry's impact on our state.

Click here to learn how you can be involved!

Arts Day at the Capitol
April 30, 2012
Oklahoma State Capitol (map)
Fourth Floor Rotunda
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Metlife Foundation offers grants for culture, education

Though best known as a leading global provider of insurance, MetLife, Inc. supports community enrichment projects through its foundation, the MetLife Foundation. The foundation's culture program offers grant funding for nonprofit organizations working to strengthen education, promote understanding of diverse cultures, and build livable communities through the arts.

Grant requests are accepted and reviewed throughout the year. Several categories of support are available, including grants for programs that increase access to the arts, funding for touring dance programs, and museum projects with strong outreach components. The foundation also offers education grants for arts integration initiatives, and creative aging programs for older adults.

Visit the MetLife Foundation website for program details and to apply.

Acclaimed artist's work added to Capitol Collection

Everett Raymond Kinstler has painted seven U.S. presidents, numerous senators, Supreme Court justices, Hollywood celebrities, and others during his acclaimed career as one of the world's foremost portrait artists. His most recent piece is now a permanent part of the Capitol Art Collection.

On February 22, Kinstler, a resident of New York City, was joined by a crowd of hundreds in the Capitol rotunda to unveil his portrait of prominent civil rights leader, John Hope Franklin. During his remarks Kinstler explained that he rarely paints subjects that aren't living, but Franklin's enduring legacy compelled him to accept the commissioning.

Kinstler's portrait is one of only two known portraits of Franklin, a historian and civil rights advocate from Oklahoma who marched with Martin Luther King and worked with Thurgood Marshall to desegregate public schools. The portrait, which was gifted to the state of Oklahoma during the ceremony, is now on view for thousands of annual visitors to see.

Grammy in the Schools

If you watched the recent Grammy Awards you probably heard about the Grammy Foundation and some of the programs offered to schools and students through the organization. If you didn’t follow up to find out more, here’s your chance. Check out some of the foundation’s programs to help schools enhance their music programs and give students opportunities to expand their musical horizons:

Artist meetings scheduled

Artists in northwest and southeast Oklahoma - mark your calendars! Staff from the Oklahoma Arts Council and Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition will be presenting regional artist meetings to serve artists in your area of the state. Anyone is welcome to attend to learn about resources that are available to artists in Oklahoma. The meetings are open to artists of all levels and disciplines (performing, visual, creative writing). Join us on the following dates in Ada or Alva:

Ada
March 27

Alva
April 4

Stay tuned for more information or contact director of outreach and community arts programs, Molly O'Connor at (405) 521-2025 or molly.oconnor@arts.ok.gov.