Oklahoma Arts Council News

Deadline for Governor's Arts Awards Nominations is October 15

Wednesday, October 15, is the nominations deadline for the 46th Oklahoma Governor's Arts Awards. Since 1975, the awards have provided a platform for recognizing individuals, businesses, nonprofits, teachers, local leaders, and others who have gone above-and-beyond for the arts in Oklahoma communities.

Presented by the Governor and the Oklahoma Arts Council during a special ceremony at the state Capitol, the biennial event awards honorees in several categories:

• The Governor's Award – for longtime leadership and significant contributions

• Arts in Education Award – for leadership and service benefitting youth and others through arts education

• Business in the Arts Award – for businesses that exhibit outstanding support for the arts

• Community Service Award – for contributions to the arts in Oklahoma communities through leadership and volunteerism

• Media in the Arts Award – for demonstrating commitment to the arts through public awareness support, initiative, and professionalism in reporting

• George Nigh Public Service in the Arts Award – for outstanding support for the arts by an Oklahoma government official

Two options are available for submitting a nomination.

Option 1: Complete an online nomination form
Option 2: Download a nomination to complete and return

View eligibility, selection criteria, and more.

Oklahoma Arts Council Marking 60 Years of Leading, Building Arts Sector

Throughout the coming months, look for unique nods to the development of Oklahoma's arts sector as the Oklahoma Arts Council highlights its 60th anniversary of leading the arts in the state.

In 1965, following the establishment of the National Endowment for the Arts, Oklahoma Governor Henry Bellmon persuaded the Oklahoma State Legislature to be among the first nationwide to create a 15-member Oklahoma Arts and Humanities Council that would bring the arts to all areas of the state. To ensure this goal, the Governor's appointees to the Council included representation from smaller cities and rural Oklahoma.

Bellmon secured $10,000 to make the first investment in the newly formed agency*, with the goal of creating a statewide festival that would feature touring performances, visual art exhibitions, and other arts events in smaller communities. From this investment came continued funding and growth, and 60 years later, the success of this vision is seen in arts programming available in communities throughout the state as the Oklahoma Arts Council continues its mission.

60 Years of the National Endowment for the Arts

In addition to the Oklahoma Arts Council's 60th anniversary, the agency's federal partner, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), is marking 60 years of service. President Lyndon B. Johnson's signing of the act creating the NEA took place September 29, 1965. It would eventually bring arts and humanities programs to every corner of the United States and throughout Oklahoma.

*A few years later, the agency became two entities—one a state agency that would lead and support the arts (Oklahoma Arts Council), and the other a nonprofit that would promote and support the humanities (Oklahoma Humanities).

Save the Date and Register for Grants Meetings in Northwest Oklahoma

Oklahomans in the northwestern region of the state who want to learn more about Oklahoma Arts Council grants, including how to submit successful grant applications, are encouraged to save dates and register for one of several upcoming stops in the area by agency staff.

In November, staff members will travel to Guymon and Woodward to lead grant presentations to give an overview of the agency's various grant programs.

Time will be set aside following the presentations for participants to have one-on-one consultations with Oklahoma Arts Council grants and program staff to get specific questions answered. Dates, times, and locations for the meetings are:

Guymon
Friday, November 7
2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
4:30 to 6:00 p.m.

Woodward
Saturday, November 8
1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

Click here to register for any of the upcoming northwest Oklahoma grant meetings. Specific meeting locations will be communicated to registrants soon.

How Acknowledging the Oklahoma Arts Council Benefits Grantees

When grantee organizations acknowledge support from the Oklahoma Arts Council, they are educating Oklahomans about the role of public funding for the arts in making possible the arts programs they enjoy. It also shows Oklahomans the return on investment in the arts made possible by their elected representatives.

Grantee organizations should be sure to review new guidelines available to help them stay compliant with requirements to acknowledge our support of their programs.

With the Oklahoma Arts Council's recent rebranding, the new guidelines outline the appropriate steps for, 1) using our new logo; 2) crediting us in writing; 3) verbally acknowledging our support; 4) writing and inviting your legislators to your programs; and, 5) following us and tagging us on social media.

Grantee organizations (excluding schools), are urged to learn more here and to download a pdf of our Grantee Acknowledgements Guide for Organizations.

School grantees have a separate set of acknowledgement requirements. The school guide can be downloaded here.

Rural Artists Can RSVP for Artist INC Express Oklahoma

Rural Oklahoma artists can learn about a new program available in our state as an offering of our regional partner, Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA). Artist INC Express Oklahoma is a free virtual program designed to meet the needs of artists living in rural communities. The nine-hour virtual workshop can help rural artists of all disciplines build sustainable practices and careers.

A streamlined version of M-AAA's flagship Artist INC Live program, Artist INC Express will include similar discussions, activities, and hands-on exercises with a network of peer artists that will help participants set goals for their practices while building a personal brand. In the program, artists are viewed as creative entrepreneurs whose practices are small businesses.

Artists can register at no cost for one of two three-day workshops:

• November 7-9 (register here)
• February 20-22 (register here)

Read the announcement to learn more. Artist INC Express Oklahoma is made possible through support from the Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation.

Schools Can Register for Oklahoma Poetry Out Loud Competition

High schools across Oklahoma can register through November 4 to give students the opportunity to compete in the state 2025-2026 Poetry Out Loudcontest. Organized by Oklahoma A+ Schools Institute in partnership with the Oklahoma Arts Council, the state program is part of a national poetry competition that encourages students to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. The program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life.

Winners from individual school contests advance to the state competition in March at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond where a state champion is crowned. The state champion receives an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to represent Oklahoma in the national contest. Both the state champion and their school receive cash prizes.

In 2025, schools from Byng, Claremore, Idabel, Lawton, Madill, and other communities participated. Oklahoma's winner, Elisha Dalmeida (pictured) from Jenks High School, reached the national finals. Watch her recitation on YouTube.

Deadline for schools to register is November 4.

Schools, Nonprofits Can Apply for Instrument Grants from Guitar Center

Oklahoma public schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits that offer music instruction can pursue Guitar Center Music Foundation grants for the chance to receive in-kind musical instruments and equipment valued at up to $5,000. Through instrument grants and donations, the foundation has supported programs reaching over 300,000 people since 2005, ensuring schools and programs keep music education alive and accessible.

In-school music classes, after-school music programs not run by the school, community music programs with music instruction, and music therapy programs may be eligible for funding. To qualify, programs must teach students how to make music—music appreciation and entertainment programs do not qualify.

Available year-round, applications are reviewed quarterly. The next cycle is October through December, with awards for the cycle to be announced in February.

View grant criteria and apply here.

Get Ready Grants from CERF+

Weather, fires, and other emergencies pose risks to artists' livelihoods. With Get Ready Grants from the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+), Oklahoma craft artists can take steps to safeguard their studios and protect their careers. Craft artists are broadly defined as those working with materials such as clay, glass, textiles, wood, and metal, among other historically recognized craft materials.

Up to $1,000 is available to use toward safety equipment and supplies, contractor consulting, theft protection measures, documentation and archiving activities, business planning, inventory software, estate planning, and more.

Applications for the grant program open October 7. Learn more at cerfplus.org.

Kirschner Trust Funding for Educational Programs Serving Those with Disabilities

Requests for funding from the Kirschner Trusts are being accepted through October. Established by Phil and Roberta Kirschner, philanthropists from the Muskogee area, the trusts were transferred to the Oklahoma City Community Foundation (OCCF) in 2013 to administer grant funding to priorities outlined by the Kirschners. Among those priorities are programs that provide educational and vocational opportunities for children and young adults with disabilities. Organizations offering arts programs serving this priority area are encouraged to look into this funding opportunity. Awards of up to $30,000 are available. 

A letter of intent is due October 21. Learn more here.