Oklahoma Arts Council News

Council Approves Agency FY26 Budget

Delayed due to uncertainties in federal arts funding, the Oklahoma Arts Council fiscal year 2026 budget was approved by the agency's governing Council on July 15. The meeting was originally scheduled to take place in June. The delay is already impacting the ability of our team to provide grant award notifications to organizations statewide. Uncertainties also led us to suspend the 2025 Oklahoma Arts Conference and rotating exhibitions in the Oklahoma State Capitol galleries.

In late June, we learned our federal funding for this year will be nearly the same as last year, but with $100,000 in extra funding through two special, one-time projects of the NEA—an Arts and Health program and their America250 initiative. We proceed with caution as we monitor the development of the federal government's next budget, which would impact our work starting next fiscal year (beginning July 1, 2026). This past week, the Congressional appropriations committee under which the NEA falls recommended a 35% cut to the NEA's appropriation for next fiscal year. Keep in mind, there are many steps that must occur before the budget for next fiscal year is decided.

Our state appropriation for fiscal year 2026 also remains nearly the same this year, with one-time additional funding directed to Capitol artwork risk mitigation and museum collections storage equipment needed when we move back into the Jim Thorpe Building following its renovation.

As we move forward in fiscal year 2026, we will continue providing updates about our funding and programs, knowing our role in leading the arts impacts your work.

Reminder: FY26 Grant Award Notifications Will be Delayed

Organizations applying for fiscal year 2026 grant funding from the Oklahoma Arts Council should expect a delay in their award notifications. The delay is due to to a deferred timeline for issuing federal funding through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), which is impacting NEA state partnership grants to state arts agencies including the Oklahoma Arts Council.

Because of the deferred federal timeline, review and approval of our fiscal year 2026 budget and grants by our 15-member Governor-appointed Council took place later than normal this year, earlier this week on July 15. Notices are expected to go out in August. Grant awards will cover the period of expenses starting July 1, 2025.

Oklahoma Arts Council staff is working under a condensed timeline to process more than 250 applications for fiscal year 2026 while closing out more than 600 grant awards from fiscal year 2025. We ask for your patience as we remain committed to ensuring timely service where possible to grantee organizations.

Questions can be directed to grants@arts.ok.gov.

Oklahoma Arts Council Grants for 2025-26 School Year

The start of the 2025-26 school year is just around the corner. As teachers begin planning for inspiring their students to excel in the upcoming year, the Oklahoma Arts Council offers several grant opportunities educators can use for tapping into the power of the fine arts in classrooms.

Classroom Supply Grants for Visual and Performing Arts – up to $500 per school is available to use towards purchasing eligible supplies and materials. Learn more.

Essential Arts Education Grants – schools can apply for two grants of up to $5,000 to support residencies and workshops led by a teaching artist during normal school hours. Requires a 10% cash match. Learn more.

Expanded Arts Education Grants – schools can apply for one grant of up to $2,500 to support arts learning led by a teaching artist outside of normal school hours. Requires a 10% cash match. Learn more.

Arts in Alternative Education Grants – schools identified by the Oklahoma State Department of Education as Alternative Education school sites are eligible for up to two $5,000 grants per school year to support residencies and workshops led by a teaching artist. Requires a 5% cash match. Learn more.

Capitol Art Field Trips – schools can seek funding to bring students to the Oklahoma State Capitol for guided tours that provide an unforgettable journey through Oklahoma art, history, and government. Learn more.

For questions or information about Oklahoma Arts Council grants and services for schools, contact Arts Education Director Jennifer Allen-Barron at (405) 249-7987 or jennifer.allen-barron@arts.ok.gov.

Support Offered for Rural Economic Development Projects

Through the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Community Development Initiative Grantsprogram, organizations in rural communities can seek support for their economic development projects. Funding from $50,000 to $500,000 is available to public bodies, nonprofit organizations, federally recognized tribes, and qualified private (for-profit) organizations.

Through the program, grants can be used to provide capacity-building assistance in rural areas, defined as any area other than a city or town with a population greater than 50,000, and the area adjacent to such a city or town. Community development projects that incorporate the arts are encouraged to look into the opportunity. Deadline to apply is August 7. Learn more.

Route 66 Revitalization Grants to Open in August

Round four of the Oklahoma Route 66 Revitalization Grantprogram opens August 15. Organizations interested in seeking funding to leverage the arts in historic preservation or economic development connected to the "Mother Road" are encouraged to learn about the opportunity. Eligible applicants are municipalities or counties located on Route 66, nonprofit organizations, and government entities or agencies.

Funds can support capital investments and a limited number of promotional purposes. Placemaking, facility enhancement, new construction, signage, research, and more may qualify. Through the grant program, applicants can receive between $25,000 and $2 million for projects. Click here to view the guidelines.

Oklahoma Winners of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition

Five Oklahoma student artists have artwork on display at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., following their selection as winners of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. Each of Oklahoma's five members of Congress chose to host competitions this year as part of the national program sponsored by the Congressional Institute. High school students submitted artwork in their respective districts for the program in the spring. Each Congressional office selected the winner from their district.

A ceremony recognizing winners from across the nation was held in June at the U.S. Capitol. Oklahoma winners for 2025 were:

• Carissa Butler for "Cow Herders" (acrylic)

• Kiara Freeman-Russell for "United in Stripes" (graphite)

• Ty Gabehart for "The Bison" (scratchboard)

• Lillian Dai for "Outside World" (colored pencil)

• Amerie Fitzpatrick for "My Neske'Eehe" (watercolor and ink)

See the winning artwork by Oklahoma students.

Spark Good in the Arts with Grants from Walmart

Walmart, the nation's largest retailer, invests in local communities through its Spark Good Local Grantsprogram. Up to $5,000 is available to support organizations that meet the unique needs of the communities where Walmart operates. Organizations must serve the same service area as the facility from which they are requesting funding.

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, local government entities, schools, and more. Selections are made by facility managers who review applications based on their alignment with community needs, their ability to bring communities together, and the likely impact of the grant in the community.

Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis. The next application window is August 1 through October 15. Learn about Walmart Spark Good Local Grants.

Edmond Historical Society Earns NEA Creative Forces Grant

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with Mid-America Arts Alliance, has announced the names of 48 organizations across the U.S. awarded funding through the Creative Forces Community Engagement Grants program. Edmond Historical Society was among those awarded grant funding.

Creative Forces Grants fund community-based arts projects that address the experiences, challenges, and strengths of military communities. Through the program, the NEA supports the role of arts engagement and non-clinical arts programming in improving the well-being and resilience of military-connected Americans.

With their Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant, Edmond Historical Society will perform two live shows in the style of a classic radio program. A workshop will teach military members the history of similar radio programs, offering attendees the chance to participate as actors, musicians, stagehands, and sound effects technicians.

Oklahoma Arts Council Offices Undergoing Maintenance in July and August

A deferred maintenance project at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry is requiring the staff of the Oklahoma Arts Council to shift temporarily to remote work during July and August. The building in the Oklahoma State Capitol complex is the current office space for the Oklahoma Arts Council.

During the two-month stretch, staff will continue to be available during normal work hours and can be reached via email and phone. As some phone numbers have recently changed, be sure to review our staff page and update your records before calling us.

New Council Members Begin Service July 1

The agency welcomed three new Council members, effective July 1, following their appointment by the Governor and confirmation by the state Senate.

Shannon Crites of Ardmore, Emily Smith of Altus, and Sally Starling of Oklahoma City officially joined the governing body of the Oklahoma Arts Council, July 1, where they will serve three-year terms.

Crites is a former dance director and studio owner with more than 50 years of dance and performing arts experience. Among her goals is strengthening dance education in rural schools.

Smith is a financial advisor with experience in community engagement and small business administration. She brings a background in military relations, arts education, and local tourism that aligns with several agency programs.

Starling is a community volunteer and devotee of the arts in central Oklahoma where she recently co-chaired the 2025 Allied Arts fundraising campaign with her husband. As past board president for the Oklahoma City Ballet, she spearheaded their campaign to purchase and renovate their award-winning dance center.

Fifteen Oklahoma citizens from across the state are appointed to serve on the agency's governing body. In this role, they determine the agency's budget, review hundreds of grants, and more.