Oklahoma Arts Council News

Looking Ahead at 2025, Inspired by Strides in the Arts

By Amber Sharples, Executive Director

Happy New Year from the Oklahoma Arts Council! Looking back on 2024, the year began with state leaders' approval of $10 million in state American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to recharge the arts. It concluded in December with our ongoing efforts to distribute vital pandemic relief dollars to nearly 200 organizations across our state. As 2025 begins, look for our release of a video series telling the story of the pandemic's toll on the arts in Oklahoma and capturuing the relief and excitement felt by arts leaders when they learned fo this transformative  investment to rebuild the sector. I believe the videos will remind you how far we have come as a sector. I am certain the will inspire you in your work ahead.

Looking Ahead

There are many great things in store for our work in the arts in the new year. Here are a few to note:

• On February 25, our agency will celebrate the reopening of the Betty Price Gallery at the Oklahoma State Capitol. The gallery, home to the Oklahoma State Art Collection, opens in a new space on the heavily trafficked second floor. You are invited to be part of our celebration and to view the gallery's inaugural exhibition.

• February is also when our newest Leadership Arts class—our 13th—meets for its first session. We look forward to announcing class members soon.

• Additional Cornerstone Conversation sessions are in the works for 2025. We are traveling to Oklahoma communities to hear their vision for the arts. If you're in the Oklahoma City area, join us for one of two sessions happening Monday, February 10 (9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.) at the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits. RSVP here.
  

• Several large state public art projects will progress this year, including the Pathway to Hope Public Art Trail in the Greenwood District in Tulsa, which we will officially dedicate in late spring. Artists can expect opportunities to submit qualifications for future public art projects in the coming year.

• The 2025 Oklahoma Arts Conference takes place October 22-24 in Enid. Save the date and remember to budget for three days in Enid for this biennial gathering of the arts sector.

• Beyond the conference, we will be offering virtual and other professional development opportunities in creative aging, accessibility in the arts, and more. Stay connected through our newsletter and social media to register for these.

As our agency gears up for the 2025 state legislative session, the Oklahoma Arts Council will continue to work with state leaders to address the needs of the arts and creative sector.

Governor Reappoints Poet Laureate Jay Snider for Second Term

Oklahoma Governor J. Kevin Stitt has appointed Oklahoma State Poet Laureate Jay Snider of Cyril to serve another two-year term in the honorary position. Snider was first appointed in 2023; his new term will last through 2026.

An award-winning cowboy poet and recording artist, Snider has traveled to communities statewide since his appointment, having been featured in programs in Altus, Ardmore, Claremore, Duncan, Enid, Lawton, Mustang, Newkirk, and Oklahoma City. Through Snider's presentations, audiences of all ages have learned about cowboy poetry as a traditional artform that connects to the state's history and culture.

The poets laureate tradition in Oklahoma dates back to 1923, and the appointment of an official state poet laureate by the Governor was codified in state law in 1994. The Oklahoma Arts Council assists the Governor's office in the appointments process, promotes the work of the laureate, and makes grant funding to eligible entities to present readings and programs featuring the laureate.

Organizations and schools interested in organizing a presentation or workshop led by Oklahoma State Poet Laureate Jay Snider are encouraged to learn more here.

Apply to Serve on a Public Art Selection Committee

Managed by the Oklahoma Arts Council, the Oklahoma Art in Public Places program invests 1.5 percent of state capital improvement budgets in public art to reflect the history and value of the people of Oklahoma. Created by state leaders in 2004, the program advances state economic development goals and enhances public spaces for the benefit of residents. Through committees assembled for Oklahoma Art in Public Places projects, community input is essential in shaping projects and bringing them to fruition.

To ensure communities have input in the commissionings of state public art works, the Oklahoma Arts Council organizes selection committees for projects. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis from Oklahomans interested in volunteering to serve on a public art selection committee. Artists, arts professionals, arts educators, and community representatives are encouraged to apply.

Those interested in serving on a selection committee can submit an application here.

Submit a Session Proposal for the Oklahoma Arts Conference

Session proposals are now being accepted by the Oklahoma Arts Council for the 2025 Oklahoma Arts Conference. The biennial convening of the state's arts and creative sector will take place October 22-24 in Enid. Proposals are sought for sessions designed to serve the needs of artists, nonprofit arts administrators, arts educators, and individuals involved in community and economic development using the arts.

Every two years, hundreds of Oklahomans convene at the Oklahoma Arts Conference to get equipped for success, gain and share ideas, and celebrate the state's vibrant creative industry. The conference features nationally-recognized speakers with expertise on current industry-related topics; it also features Oklahoma-based presenters and panelists who showcase the excellent and innovative work being done in the arts in Oklahoma communities.

Submissions require a brief summary of the proposed session, the presenter's bio of relevant experience, a description of the intended audience, and an outline of potential tech needs.

Deadline to submit a proposal is February 15.

January Webinar: Universal Design for Learning

The focus of a January Accessibility in the Arts webinar being offered by the Oklahoma Arts Council, Universal Design Learning (UDL) is a teaching framework that can open doors to creativity and learning for all students.

On January 16, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., the Oklahoma Arts Council will present, "Embracing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in the Arts: Creating Accessible and Engaging Learning Environments," a webinar that will explain how the principles of UDL can foster educational environments that acknowledge different learning needs.

Jennifer Pusateri of the University of Kentucky's Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching will be the featured presenter, and a panel of Oklahoma teaching artists will discuss their work in relation to UDL.

Teaching artists, classroom educators, arts administrators, and others passionate about making arts education accessible are invited to join in for valuable insights and actional strategies. The webinar is offered at no cost.

Register for the webinar on our Accessibility in the Arts page.

Get Ready for Artistic Innovations Grants

Applications open January 11 for Artistic Innovationsgrants from Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA). Through the program, individual artists and arts-based nonprofits in Oklahoma and the six-state M-AAA region can receive up to $15,000 to support the creation of new, original artwork. The program is designed to encourage experimentation and exploration in the art-making process.

Projects supported through Artistic Innovations must include at least two public-facing events, including a premiere feature presentation of the work and an educational outreach event. Ideal projects are those that have in-person experiences at the heart of the endeavor and those that introduce an original idea to audiences.

View projects previously through Artistic Innovations.

Proposals from Arts, Artists Sought to Pioneer Ideas in Health

The Robert Wood Foundation is seeking to support ideas that promote a culture of health for people living in the United States. Beginning in February, the foundation will begin accepting proposals for its Pioneering Ideas program, offering support for projects that increase opportunities for Americans to live the healthiest lives possible. Proposals from outside the fields of health and health care will be considered. Artists are among the groups the foundation has listed from which it seeks unconventional ideas for improving generational health outcomes. Scientists, anthropologists, urban planners, and others are also listed.

Grant periods for the program are flexible, generally ranging from one to three years. Projects should be forward-thinking, designed to have an influence five or more years into the future. Grant periods for the program are flexible, ranging from one to three years in general.

Grant amounts will vary, with an average amount of more than $300,000 per grant awarded in the previous cycle. Preference for funding will be given to nonprofit organizations. Submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis beginning in February.

Learn more here.

Deadline for Creative Forces® Grants

Oklahoma organizations with at least three years of experience presenting or producing arts-based projects and/or programming for military communities are encouraged to learn about Creative Forces Community Engagement Grants.

A program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Mid-America Arts Alliance, Creative Forces Community Engagement Grants provide up to $50,000 in funding in emerging and advanced tiers for qualifying projects that take place in community, healthcare, or virtual settings. A wide range of arts activities including visual, written, and performing arts activities can be supported. Nonprofit organizations and entities of state/local/tribal governments are eligible to apply.

In addition to funding, the program gives organizations opportunities to connect and learn from organizations that provide arts programming for military communities. Annual in-person convenings, one-on-one consultations, cohort workshops, and other opportunities are also included.

Deadline to apply is January 15.

NEA Accepting Grant Applications for 2026

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has released deadlines for two of its key grant programs for projects taking place beginning in 2026. Eligible applicants include 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, units of state or local government, and federally-recognized tribal nations.

Challenge America grants are good entry points for organizations that are new to NEA or federal funding. Small organizations and first-time applicants are specifically welcomed to apply. The purpose of the program is to extend the reach of the arts to underserved groups and communities. These $10,000 grants are available to support programs featuring a wide variety of artistic disciplines. Deadline for Challenge America is April 24.

Grants for Arts Projects support a wide range of arts activities, providing up to $100,000 for projects that provide public engagement with the arts and arts education, integrate the arts with strategies promoting the health and well-being of people and communities, or improve overall capacity within the arts sector. The two deadlines for Grants for Arts Projects are February 13 and July 10

Click here to learn about these and other NEA grant opportunities.

Part-Time Finance Assistant Sought

The Oklahoma Arts Council is currently seeking a part-time finance assistant. The position assists with accounting, budgeting, finance, and other administrative tasks across agency departments. It also serves as a backup for the executive administrator.

To qualify, candidates must have graduated from an accredited four-year college with a degree in business or public administration, arts administration, or a related field; a degree in finance, accounting, business, or public administration is preferred.

Salary for the finance assistant position is commensurate with experience with an hourly rate of $30.96.

For instructions on how to apply, visit arts.ok.gov.

Arts Supporter, Banking Innovator Gene Rainbolt Leaves Lasting Legacy

A longtime civic leader and staunch supporter of the arts across Oklahoma, Gene Rainbolt has passed away at the age of 95. Rainbolt was a banking industry innovator and revered business figure who valued the role of the arts in communities, frequently investing his time and resources to bolster arts organizations and creative community development.

Among Rainbolt's many efforts in the arts, he served as chairman of the Oklahoma Arts Institute and director of the Jasmine Moran Children's Museum. He also served on the board of directors for the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and Allied Arts.

Rainbolt took an active role in Lyric Theatre's renovation of the historic Plaza Theatre in Oklahoma City—which sparked the district's revitalization. His commitment to education was demonstrated through his significant support for the University of Oklahoma School of Dance.

In 2008, Rainbolt was presented with a prestigious Governor's Arts Award for his longtime leadership and support for the arts across Oklahoma. His legacy in the arts endures in part through his family—his daughter-in-law Kim Rainbolt is a former member of the Oklahoma Arts Council.

Paige Busick Assisting with Arts Education Programs

Paige Busick has joined the Oklahoma Arts Council staff as Arts Education Assistant where she provides support for the agency's arts education grants and programs. Busick's work will focus heavily on the agency's Arts in Alternative Education program and Creative Aging Initiative.

Before joining the agency, Busick taught camps at First Americans Museum, leading lessons on contemporary Indigenous art. There, she was inspired by her young students, whose unique ways of thinking and approach to the world reinforced for Busick the transformational power of arts education.

Says Busick, "I found myself learning from them as much as I taught."

With a growing passion for arts education, Busick recently learned of the Arts Education Assistant position opening. As she researched the job and examined the agency's mission, she began to grow confident in the fit.

Beyond her work with the Oklahoma Arts Council, Busick is a practicing artist whose focuses are oil painting and quilting. Chickasaw culture and iconography often inspire her paintings. Her quilting is a meditative practice that has allowed her to reconnect with her Chickasaw heritage. According to Busick, piecing together fabric fragments to reveal a larger picture mirrors her journey.

As for her professional journey, having visited several schools and organizations recently, Busick is beginning to see a picture of a job that incorporates all of her interests, and she knows the work will be fulfilling.

Busick can be reached at (405) 892-8823 or paige.busick@arts.ok.gov.

Raglin Returns to Manage Capitol Tours

Marissa Raglin has returned to the agency in a part-time temporary capacity to manage the popular Oklahoma State Capitol tour program. Raglin previously served on staff curating art exhibitions at the Capitol. In her current role, Raglin oversees guided visitor tours focusing on art, history, and government. She also works closely with the agency's volunteer docent corps, who lead the tours. Raglin can be reached at (405) 249-5129 or marissa.raglin@arts.ok.gov.

Celebrating Staff Milestones

The staff of the Oklahoma Arts Council is the agency's most valued resource. Each member of the staff is committed to public service, cherishing the opportunity to meet needs of the sector and build a stronger Oklahoma through the arts.

Staff Anniversaries

Three members of the Oklahoma Arts Council staff celebrate anniversaries with the agency in January. Sterling Hayes marks her fourth year on staff this month. As Director of Art in Public Places, Hayes oversees commissionings and acquisitions for capital improvement projects that fall under the state's percent-for-public-art program.

Calen Kinnaman celebrates her third year on staff in January. As Executive Administrator, Kinnaman helps organize and manage the calendar and communications for Executive Director Amber Sharples. In this role, she spearheads interagency, legislative, and external correspondence. She also leads efforts to maintain efficient office management.

Erin Latham will mark her first year on staff in January. As Curator of Capitol Exhibitions, from day one Latham has been immersed in efforts to reopen the four Oklahoma State Capitol galleries—including the new Betty Price Gallery—and prepare for exhibitions of artwork in each.

Congratulations to Sterling, Calen, and Erin on marking these milestones serving Oklahomans through the arts!