Oklahoma Arts Council News
February 2026
Legislators Begin 2026 Session at State Capitol
State legislators have returned to the Capitol for the 2026 legislative session, and among the issues awaiting their attention are the creation of the state's fiscal year 2027 budget and thousands of bills filed by individual members for consideration. Ahead of the session in January, Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Amber Sharples presented the agency's budget request of $5.3 million to education appropriations and budget subcommittees in the House and Senate.
State Budget Outlook
In December, the State Board of Equalization approved nearly $12 billion for lawmakers to appropriate in the next budget—down roughly $700 million from last year. The lower amount could affect state agency budgets.
Federal Developments
On the national front, recent developments in Washington, D.C., indicate level funding is a possibility for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The U.S. House of Representatives approved the amounts in their federal appropriations package, which will now be considered by the U.S. Senate before potentially reaching the President's desk. Level funding would be encouraging following last year's uncertainty about NEA and NEH funding.
FY2025 Impact Report
With the start of the calendar year, the Oklahoma Arts Council has released its FY2025 Impact Report. Download the report to read about the agency's recent accomplishments. The report commemorates the agency's 60 years of service to Oklahomans.
Oklahomans Celebrated During 46th Governor's Arts Awards
In a crowded fourth-floor state Capitol rotunda on a Tuesday afternoon in late January, the Oklahoma Arts Council and Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell honored a group of Oklahomans representing communities across the state for their outstanding work in the arts. Twenty-one honorees received recognition in various categories during the 46th Oklahoma Governor's Arts Awards.
In his remarks, Pinnell cited the arts as pivotal to carrying the nation's story and helping Americans determine who we want to be as a country.
Highlighting ways the arts will be key in celebrating America's 250th birthday and commemorating the Route 66 centennial in 2026, Pinnell said, "We can't be a Top 10 State unless we support our artists as storytellers."
Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Amber Sharples said honorees remind us that the arts transform lives. "Their stories are the story of America: One of individuals putting others first, sacrificing so that the hope and aspirations of others can excel," said Sharples.
A standing-room only audience of friends, family, and arts supporters celebrated the work of the honorees. The event featured musical tributes to America's 250th birthday by an Oklahoma City Philharmonic ensemble, two Mustang High School ensembles, and renditions of "America the Beautiful" and "God Bless America" sung by State Representative Tammy Townley of Ardmore.
Save the Date: Oklahoma Arts and Health Summit Scheduled May 21
Designed by the Oklahoma Arts Council, the Oklahoma Arts and Health Summit will take place May 21 at the University of Oklahoma's OU Health campus in Oklahoma City. It will feature national and local speakers who are shaping the growing field of arts and health. Arts organizations, teaching artists, and healthcare professionals who attend will hear the latest data and trends. Dr. Tasha Golden, an international expert in creativity and wellbeing will be the featured keynote.
Mark your calendars for this important summit and learn how your work in the arts can grow in this evolving and important area.
Mark Your Calendar! 🗓️✍️
Oklahoma Arts and and Health Summit
May 21, 2026
Nicholson Tower
OU Health
Oklahoma City
More details will be announced soon. Stay tuned!
Made possible in part by special funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and through a grant from the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET).
Celebrate Bob Wills Day at the Capitol on March 9
Bob Wills Day returns to the Oklahoma State Capitol for another year of music and more, recognizing the life and legacy of the "King of Western Swing" who helped popularize the music genre during the 1930s and 1940s. The public is invited to attend the day-long festivities on March 9. There is no cost to attend.
Co-hosted by the Oklahoma Arts Council and Oklahoma Historical Society, with support from the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, Bob Wills Day at the Capitol features live music, exhibitors, dancing, and special recognitions of Wills' family in the state Legislature. The full lineup for the 2026 event will be announced soon.
Nonprofit Arts Organizations Can Apply for Arts in Alternative Education Partnership Grants
Nonprofit arts organizations can play a role in supporting alternative education schools in Oklahoma. Their expertise, resources, and the flexibility can give students at alternative education sites creative opportunities that can make a difference in their academic lives and beyond.
To support partnerships between nonprofit arts organizations and alternative education schools, the Oklahoma Arts Council offers funding of up to $30,000 through Arts in Alternative Education Community Partnership Grants.
With the funding, organizations can collaborate with schools to tailor programs such as artist residencies, performances, exhibitions, field trips, and more. Programs can help students in alternative education build new skills while allowing them to attain credits toward completing their high school degree.
Learn more and apply here. Deadline to apply is March 15.
Apply for Creative Aging Community Partnership Grants
Open to nonprofit organizations, local and tribal governments, colleges, and public libraries, Creative Aging Partnership Grants of up to $30,000 from the Oklahoma Arts Council can support learning-based programs serving older Oklahomans. Creative aging programs are gaining recognition for health and wellness benefits and more.
Through March 15, applications are being accepted for programs taking place in fiscal year 2027. Programs such as classes, residencies, and workshops with hands-on arts learning are eligible for funding.
Grant recipients also receive professional development, mentorship, and technical support.
Learn more and apply here. Deadline is March 15.
OCCF Offers Operating Support for Learning Opportunities for Children
A chance for organizations to receive general operating support is available from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation (OCCF). Their Opportunities for Children Community Grant provides up to $30,000 to organizations whose programs enhance learning for children. Year-round support may awarded up to the full amount. Support of up to $5,000 may be awarded for short-term projects such as summer camps.
Funding may be applied to operations or projects in support of grant priorities. Priorities include school readiness (ages 0-5), foster care (ages 0-14), and enrichment opportunities (ages 0-14). The primary benefiting audience must receive services at a free, low-cost, or reduced rate.
Organization service areas are Canadian, Cleveland, and Oklahoma counties. Nonprofit arts organizations with programs fitting grant criteria are encouraged to look into the opportunity. A letter of intent is due March 5. Learn more here.
Oklahomans Awarded Artistic Innovations Grants
Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA) announced its 2025-2026 Artistic Innovations grant recipients in January. Two Oklahoma artists were among the 14 individual artists and arts organizations that will receive funding of up to $15,000 for the creation of new innovative and experimental projects.
Susan Miranda of Oklahoma City will lead the creation of "Heartland Harmonies: A Celebration of Music from Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas Composers," featuring compositions of new music by local composers.
Dr. Tamecca Rogers of Tulsa will create a film documentary titled "Unheard Voices: Fighting for My Life" about a woman imprisoned after defending herself against abuse.
Click here to see the list of funded projects.
RELATED: Two M-AAA Walking Together grants awarded to Oklahoma projects.
NEA Offers America250 Grant Opportunity for Featuring Military Bands
As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday in 2026, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced a special grant opportunity. Nonprofit organizations, units of state and local government, and federally recognized tribes with at least five years of arts programming history can apply for $10,000 to $20,000 in funding for projects that feature performances and/or educational programming with a U.S. military band.
Projects qualifying for "Celebrating the Nation’s 250th Birthday with Music from U.S. Military" funding must take place between May 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026.
Deadline for applications is February 23. Oklahoma organizations are encouraged to look into this opportunity.
RELATED: NEA begins awarding grants for programs celebrating America's birthday
Register for 2026 Arts Day at Capitol!
Registration is now open for this spring's Oklahoma Arts Day at the state Capitol. Presented by the nonprofit arts advocacy organization, Oklahomans for the Arts (OFTA), this special convening brings together organizations, artists, educators, and others who champion the arts in our state for a day full of advocacy activities, programming, and celebration.
Organizations and individuals can register now for the event. Organizations can reserve tabling space. Details about the day's schedule will be announced by OFTA soon.
Arts Day at the Capitol
Presented by Oklahomans for the Arts
April 30, 2026
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Register here
Betty Price Gallery Reopens Featuring New Artworks
The Betty Price Gallery at the Oklahoma State Capitol is open again after a brief closure to refresh exhibitions. Nine works from the Oklahoma State Art Collection were installed, including a recently completed work by artist John Newsom titled, "Prairie Tales." Commissioned by Friends of the Oklahoma Arts Council in collaboration with Ken and Mary Ann Fergeson, Jarrod Fergeson and Anna Cox, and numerous donors, "Prairie Tales" features motifs and imagery of the state's natural landscape and habitat. The large, vivid oil painting greets visitors as they enter the gallery. Other works rotated into the space are Stephen Mopope's "Buffalo Hunter," Joe Goode's "Untitled," and Harvey Pratt's "The Pawnee." In keeping with museum best practices, several works on paper were rotated off display for preservation.
Home to the Oklahoma State Art Collection, the Betty Price Gallery is located on the second floor of the Oklahoma State Capitol. There is no cost to visit the gallery. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.