Oklahoma Arts Council News

ONEAL Tweet-up event happening June 8

The ONEAL Network (Oklahoma's New and Emerging Arts Leaders) is hosting the first ever ONEAL Tweet-up event on Friday, June 8 during Live on the Plaza. From 7 to 10 p.m. emerging arts leaders and young professionals are invited to performances by Tulsa Rock Quartet, Sunshine Hahn, Alegria Real, and Al Bostick. Participants can compete in Arts Jeopardy and participate in an interactive tweet-board while learning how to advocate for Oklahoma's arts industry.

The Tweet-up event is a partnership with the Oklahoma Arts Council, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, and the Plaza District.

There is no cost to attend. Refreshments will be provided.

Follow the event on Twitter by searching the hashtag #vocal4OKarts.

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

Upcoming summit to assess local artist needs

The Cultural Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization established to develop the arts in Oklahoma City, is hosting an upcoming public meeting for Central Oklahoma artists of all disciplines. Artists are invtied to attend the summit to help the CDC determine gaps and strengths in service and opportunities for artists, and to determine priorities for connecting local artists to resources.

The June 2 Artist Summit will take place from 1 - 5 p.m. at the St. Anthony Hospital Rapp Foundation Conference Center, located on the hospital's fourth floor.

For more information contact Krystle Brewer at krystle.brewer@okc.gov or (405) 297-1741.

Visit www.projectsmatrix.com/cdcok to learn more.

Jane Jayroe appointed to Oklahoma Arts Council

Oklahoma City - Jane Jayroe, Oklahoma City, is the newest member of the Oklahoma Arts Council. Appointed by Governor Mary Fallin, Jayroe was recently confirmed by the state Senate.

A former Miss America and local news anchor, Jayroe served as Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department from 1999 to 2003. During her stint as director Jayroe was also Governor Frank Keating's Secretary of Tourism and Recreation.

Jayroe's experience in the arts includes co-chairing a past Allied Arts fundraising campaign, service as an Arts-in-Education Specialist for the Oklahoma State Department of Education, and a degree in music from Oklahoma City University. Prior to her career as a journalist and author, Jayroe performed starring roles in musical theater in Oklahoma City and the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

In addition to being crowned Miss America in 1967, Jayroe's awards include induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2007, a Music and Performing Arts Award by OCU Societies in 2001, and recognition as a Distinguished Alumni of Oklahoma City University in 1989.

Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Kim Baker said Jayroe's experience in tourism is a great fit for the Council. "We fund programs that draw thousands of visitors to Oklahoma, so Jane's experience in promoting the state is invaluable."

Fifteen individuals are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate to oversee the Oklahoma Arts Council.

Arts industry shines at state Capitol

The first ever Arts Day at the Capitol was an enormous success as more than 50 Oklahoma organizations came together under the dome on April 30! Individuals and organizations from every corner of the state were on hand, unified to present a singular image of Oklahoma's arts and cultural industry to our elected representatives.

The Red Earth Festival press conference was one of the day's highlights as Lt. Governor Todd Lamb, State Senator David Holt, and others spoke about the impact of the festival and the arts on Oklahoma's economy, quality of life, and education. The Arts Council of Oklahoma City's Art Moves program, a string duo from the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and artist Patrick Riley provided live demonstrations and performances.

Thanks to everyone who supported Arts Day at the Capitol - those who came to the Capitol, those who helped spread the word, and those who couldn't be present but did what they could to voice their thoughts about arts funding! The Council may be the stewards of public funding for the arts, but this day was really about you!

Thanks again.

Institute offers awards for innovative nonprofits

The Drucker Institute is offering up to $100,000 to nonprofit organizations in recognition of programs that make a difference in people's lives. The Peter F. Drucker Award for Nonprofit Innovation is given each fall to several 501(c)(3) organizations. Apply by July 1, 2012.

The purpose of the awards is to recognize and celebrate the efforts of innovative nonprofits that are working to address fast-changing needs in America.

For more information or to apply click here.

2012 Oklahoma Arts Conference will "Build Bridges"

Twenty years ago Oklahoma City government leaders announced a grand vision to remake the city's embattled image and depressed downtown. Through investment in arts and culture, entertainment, conventions, and sports facilities, the MAPS campaign partnered city leaders with businesses and the taxpaying public to revitalize the heartbeat of the city.

Two decades later Oklahoma City is a fluorishing community that consistently receives positive national attention and is a model for public-private partnerships. With arts and culture a chief ingredient to the city's success, the 2012 Oklahoma Arts Conference in Oklahoma City is the perfect opportunity to examine how different stakeholders can come together to create better communities through the arts.

2012 Oklahoma Arts Conference
"Building Bridges to Vibrant Communities"
October 23-24
Skirvin Hotel
OKC

Oklahoma City's new Skydance Bridge near downtown

OVAC offering weekend workshop for artists

Artists interested in enhancing their careers are encouraged to consider an August workshop being hosted by the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC). The Creative Capital Professional Development Weekend Workshop will take place in Tulsa on August 3-5, 2012. Cost to attend is $250 and some scholarships are available.

Workshops will be led by professional consultants and will use an integrated approach to cover topics like marketing and public relations, fundraising, and strategic planning. The goal is to help artists organize, plan, and sustain their careers.

Deadline to apply for the workshop is June 8. For more information visit the OVAC website.

Another round of NEA grants announced

The Oklahoma Arts Council and three other Oklahoma arts organizations are among the most recently announced recipients of National Endowment for the Arts grants. In addition to the Council's State Partnership Grant, Allied Arts and Humanities Council of Bartlesville, Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa, and Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma will receive grants in the NEA's Art Works category.

Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Kim Baker said the Council's partnership grant is less than last year's because of federal budget cuts but is less of a cut relative to other states.

"This is a good reminder that advocating for the arts on the federal level is important too," Baker said. "Our NEA grant benefits arts organizations statewide through things like the Oklahoma Arts Conference."

In all, announced grants total an $819,800 federal investment in Oklahoma's arts and cultural industry, helping make the arts accessible to all Oklahomans.

Click here to learn about Oklahoma projects receiving NEA grant support.

Read a national arts article about Chickasha's new sculpture, a project funded in part by an NEA grant.

State Art Collection adds new work

For over 30 years, Sherrie McGraw has been at the forefront of the American Art scene with a career that has focused on still life, landscape, and drawing. Her work Low Clouds in the Mountain is the newest work to join the Oklahoma State Art Collection - a collection of works by notable Oklahoma artists housed in the Betty Price Gallery at the Capitol.

As a young woman in Oklahoma City in 1978, McGraw was urged by her teachers to move to New York to study at the famed Arts Students League. After being accepted into the renowned school, McGraw studied with legendary artist David Leffel and, after a few years, began exhibiting and winning awards. She is now a highly respected instructor and author of the acclaimed book, The Language of Drawing. McGraw's work has been shown in major institutions like the National Museum of Wildlife Art, Gilcrease Museum, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, and the Tucson Museum. Her work is held in prestigious collections including that Mellon family, Forbes family, John Mellencamp, and George Carlson, among others.

Click here for information about the Betty Price Gallery.

Low Clouds in the Mountain by Sherrie McGraw

Job, internships available with the Oklahoma Arts Council

The Oklahoma Arts Council is seeking a Visual Arts Director and two summer interns.

The Visual Arts Director position is open to an experienced art museum professional whose responsibilities will include managing the Oklahoma State Art Collection and functioning as a curator in the development and execution of original exhibitions in the Betty Price Gallery at the state Capitol.

A well-qualified candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in museum studies, art history, arts administration, public art or an arts related field with a minimum of 5 years collections management or registrarial experience.

Intern candidates should have an interest in the visual arts, some knowledge of the local art scene, and a desire to learn more about the arts community in Oklahoma. Interns will assist staff with grants administration, exhibit installation , educational outreach, and / or publications and communications (interns can choose to focus on an area of interest). Interns should expect to commit six to ten hours per week.

For more information on these job opportunities click here. The Oklahoma Arts Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Oklahoma loses a Cultural Treasure

One of Oklahoma's five world-renowned American Indian ballerinas depicted in Mike Larsen's state Capitol mural, Flight of Spirit, Edna Moscelyne Larkin passed away on April 25.

Born in 1925 in Miami, Oklahoma, Larkin trained in ballet from an early age, moving to New York City at age 13 to study the art form. She quickly gained recognition for her abilities, impressing legendary choreographer Michael Fokine and being accepted into the Ballet Russe at the age of 15. Larkin's esteemed career spanned the world with performances in the Philippines, Japan, Panama, and the United States before she returned to Oklahoma to raise a family and teach ballet. Her efforts would later result in the birth of the Tulsa Ballet.

In 1957 Larkin organized the first Oklahoma Indian Ballerina Festival, showcasing Larkin and her Oklahoma Indian ballerina contemporaries, Yvonne Chouteau, Maria Tallchief and Rosella Hightower.

In 1978 Larkin was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, and in 1997 she was named an Oklahoma Cultural Treasure.

Read a New York Times article about Larkin's passing.