Oklahoma Arts Council News
February 2025
Agency Presents Budget Request to Legislators
With the February start of the 2025 Oklahoma legislative session approaching, Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Amber Sharples spearheaded presentations of the agency's budget request to members of the state Legislature in January.
Appearing on separate occasions before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education and the House Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee, Sharples outlined the agency's request for increased investment in the arts and creative sector, noting the increase as a critical step to restoring the state's previous per capita arts investment from fiscal year 2010, and taking into consideration population growth and the impact of inflation.
Areas prioritized by the agency included:
- Increasing current grantmaking to reach rural arts "deserts" and support at least 40 additional organizations statewide
- Creative workforce initiatives and economic development programs
- Investments for risk mitigation and preservation of the artwork belonging to the people of Oklahoma, managed by the agency
During her presentations (view video here), Sharples showed policymakers the projected 10 percent growth rate of the creative sector through 2034. She explained the role of arts education in meeting workforce needs, and discussed the arts as providing the best return-on-investment for meeting multiple state needs.
As budget and policy decisions are made during the 2025 legislative session, the Oklahoma Arts Council will provide updates on actions affecting the arts sector.
Attend the Betty Price Gallery Grand Reopening on February 25
The final major phase of the reinstallation of artwork in the Oklahoma State Capitol is drawing to a close. To celebrate, the Oklahoma Arts Council is hosting a special grand reopening event for the Betty Price Gallery on Tuesday, February 25, at 4:00 p.m.
Home to the Oklahoma State Art Collection, featuring works by Oklahoma's most notable artists, the Betty Price Gallery represents the last phase of bringing artwork back to the renovated Capitol. The gallery will reopen in a new museum-quality space on the heavily-trafficked second floor.
Oklahomans are invited to attend the celebration, which will take place in the second-floor rotunda and feature remarks by Governor Kevin Stitt and legislative leaders.
Following the event in the rotunda, attendees can experience the gallery ribbon cutting and view artworks featured in the inaugural exhibition. New exhibitions in the rotating Capitol galleries will also be available to view. Light refreshments will be available.
RSVPs are encouraged by emailing events@arts.ok.gov.
Rotating Gallery Exhibitions Return to State Capitol
Rotating exhibitions of artwork by current Oklahoma artists have returned to the Oklahoma State Capitol, with the first set of shows now on display. The Oklahoma Arts Council supports the work of professional artists by showcasing their work in three Capitol galleries—the East, North, and Governor's galleries. Viewed by thousands of people from around the world who visit the the Capitol, exhibitions showcase the outstanding creative talent of the people of Oklahoma. Below, learn about our first set of exhibitions on display now.
East Gallery
January 10 – March 2, 2025
Jason Wilson
Beyond the Quilt: Abstract Realms of Color and Line
Artist Reception: February 25, 5:00 p.m.
North Gallery
January 17 – March 10, 2025
Jake Durham
Oklahoma in Focus: A Journey Through Time and Terrain
Artist Reception: February 25, 5:00 p.m.
Governor's Gallery
January 24 – March 17, 2025
Harold T. Holden
Sculpting the West: The Art of Harold Holden
Artist Reception: February 25, 5:00 p.m.
2025 Arts Education Survey for Schools
To respond to the needs of schools across the state, the Oklahoma Arts Council administers a survey every few years to get input from teachers, faculty, administrators, and others affiliated with Oklahoma PreK-12 public or public charter schools.
Responses to the arts education surveys are incredibly valuable to the work of the agency. Past surveys have led to new grant offerings, workshops and training opportunities, and other programs and services designed by the agency to serve the needs of schools.
The Oklahoma Arts Council's 2025 Arts Education in Schools Survey is open through February 14. Individuals affiliated with Oklahoma schools are urged to take a few moments to complete the brief survey and pass it along to their colleagues.
For questions regarding the survey, please contact our Arts Education Assistant, Paige Busick, at (405) 892-8823 or paige.busick@arts.ok.gov.
Webinar to Highlight Two OAC Partnership Grant Opportunities
Oklahoma arts and community organizations are expanding their impact with transformative arts programming, thanks to partnership grant programs launched in recent years by the Oklahoma Arts Council (OAC). The grant programs are the focus of an upcoming webinar being hosted by the agency on February 12.
Arts and community organizations have successfully leveraged Creative Aging Partnership Grants and Arts in Alternative Education Community Partnership Grants to expand access to the arts for Oklahomans.
During the webinar, Oklahoma Arts Council program staff will outline key details about Creative Aging Partnership Grants and Arts in Alternative Education Community Partnership Grants, highlighting examples of successful partnerships and discussing steps for submitting strong grant applications.
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For Creative Aging Partnership Grants, webinar attendees will learn how organizations can use the funding to provide arts learning opportunities for older adults through teaching artist residencies and workshops.
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For Arts in Alternative Education Community Partnership Grants, webinar attendees will learn how nonprofit arts organizations can partner with alternative education school sites to provide students with high-quality hands-on arts education—a powerful tool for re-engaging vulnerable students and improving academic outcomes.
"Expanding Arts Access Through Strategic Partnerships: A Webinar for Arts and Community Organizations" will take place Wednesday, February 12, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
RSVP for Cornerstone Conversations in OKC
The Oklahoma Arts Council is hosting two Cornerstone Conversation sessions in Oklahoma City in February as the agency continues its listening session tour across the state.
Designed as a forum for Oklahomans to share ideas for how the arts can meet needs in their communtiies and across the state, Cornerstone Conversation sessions are co-facilitated by the Oklahoma Arts Council and members of the local community. During the session, attendees participate in small group discussion and individual exercises, and they are given the chance to provide written feedback. Sessions include a 30-minute networking break with light refreshments.
There is no cost to participate. Feedback from Cornerstone Conversation sessions will serve as important building blocks for the Oklahoma Arts Council's 2026-2030 strategic plan.
Reserve a Seat
Reserve your seat at one of the following sessions by sending an email to chandra.boyd@arts.ok.gov. Please note which session you will attend.
Oklahoma City (morning)
Monday, February 10
9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits
701 N. Lindsay Ave.
Oklahoma City (afternoon)
Monday, February 10
1:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits
701 N. Lindsay Ave.
Learn more about Cornerstone Conversations. More stops in Oklahoma communities will be announced soon.
Share Your Ideas for Oklahoma Arts Conference Sessions
What topics and sector needs should the Oklahoma Arts Council address during the 2025 Oklahoma Arts Conference in Enid this fall? Share your ideas for sessions and more by completing this brief survey by March 15.
Every two years, hundreds of Oklahomans gather at the Oklahoma Arts Conference to get equipped for success, gain and share ideas, and celebrate the state's vibrant creative industry. Organized by the Oklahoma Arts Council as the official state arts agency, the conference features nationally-recognized speakers presenting 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.
The 2025 Oklahoma Arts Conference will take place in Enid, October 22-24. Be sure to add these dates to your calendar and stay tuned for details.
RELATED: The Oklahoma Arts Council is currently accepting proposals from individuals interested in presenting at the conference.
NEA Announces Investments in Oklahoma Projects
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced an investment of $105,000 in direct grant funding for Oklahoma organizations. In January, the federal arts agency issued its first round of awards for the year, funding six Oklahoma projects in two NEA categories.
Awarded were:
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Cheyenne and Araphaho Tribes ($10,000) – a Challenge America grant to support planning and development of an animated film adapted from a traditional Cheyenne story
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Enid Public Schools ($10,000) – a Challenge America grant to support professional development in arts integration for early childhood and elementary teachers
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Oklahoma Arts Institute ($30,000) – Grants for Arts Projects funding for the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute
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Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre ($15,000) – Grants for Arts Projects funding to support a theatrical production
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Sunny Dayz Mural Festival ($20,000) – Grants for Arts Projects funding to support the annual mural festival
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Tulsa Glassblowing School ($20,000) – Grants for Arts Projects funding to support a visiting artist residency program
The next Challenge America deadline is April 24.
The next Grants for Arts Projects deadlines are February 13 and July 10.
Click here to learn about these and other NEA grant opportunities.
Apply for Artistic Innovations Grants from Mid-America Arts Alliance
Applications are available through March 13 for Artistic Innovations grant funding 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.
Deadline to apply is March 13.
Part-Time Finance Assistant Opportunity
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.