Skip navigation

Oklahoma Arts Council News

April 2013

Join Us Tuesday, April 30, for a Capitol Gallery Artists' Reception

Meet the artists featured in three new state Capitol exhibits during a special reception Tuesday, April 30, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. The reception is free and open to the public and Capitol employees. Parking is available on the south side of the Capitol.

To view more information about the artists and exhibits, click here.

Quality Arts Education for All Students - Why It's Important

by Michael Eddens, Director of Arts Education Programs

Prompted by ongoing national and statewide conversations on the economy, budget cuts, and government programs, along with an emphasis on student test scores and decreased attention given arts education, I’ve been thinking about the impact (and potential impact) of arts education on Oklahoma students.

As director of arts education programs for the Council, my work involves evaluating arts education programs funded by the Oklahoma Arts Council in schools around the state. From music and theatre camps to visual art programs and innovative arts integration projects, I’ve been impressed by arts education’s power to unlock learning and greatness in young people.

Recently I was greeted by a wonderful email that speaks directly to what’s been on my mind. Read the email and more here...

Warm Weather Provides Learning Opportunities through Public Art

by Jacki Dunn, Oklahoma Art in Public Places

Slowly but surely, winter is surrendering to spring. The "Great Spring Freeze of 2013" left purple-budded trees covered in icicles, but beautiful weather will not be deterred for long. As you emerge from your winter hibernation and head outside, you can discover learning opportunities through public art. Oklahoma Art in Public Places (OAIPP), the state's public art program, has a collection that spans the state. The art is easily accessible, free, and often situated near other educational or engaging activities. Start your day in the great outdoors by viewing one of our public artworks and engaging in one of the nearby activities. Click here to check out public art and educational resources available statewide...

OKCMOA and NewView Team Up to Serve Special Needs Students

by Bryon Chambers, Oklahoma City Museum of Art

Last summer, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art partnered with NewView Oklahoma to host a “Day in Downtown” for the Oklahomans Without Limitations (O.W.L.) summer camp. Visually impaired students, ages 8 to 18, experienced art making activities led by local artists and toured museum galleries. A special treat for campers included learning proper art handling; each student took turns holding a piece of Chihuly glass.

Read about the museum's new Creative Visions program and its efforts to be a leader in accessibility for the community.

Arts Day at the Capitol is May 8

Last year marked the first-ever Arts Day at the Capitol, and the event was a huge success, as artists, arts organizations, community development professionals and others filled the Capitol rotunda to show off the Oklahoma arts and cultural industry. Our thanks to Oklahomans for the Arts for organizing the event!

Arts Day at the Capitol 2013 is set for Wednesday, May 8. We look forward to seeing an even larger gathering during this year's event! Learn more about the event and how you can get involved by visiting Oklahomans for the Arts' website.

Attend OUIQC's Placemaking Conference

Individuals interested in the arts and community development are encouraged to attend the April 3 University of Oklahoma Institute for Quality Communities' (OUIQC) Placemaking Conference 2013. The conference will feature world-class leaders and presenters in the areas of placemaking, urban planning, historic preservation, and walkability. The conference, which includes lunch and dinner, is open to the public and offered at no cost.

Click here to view the conference schedule and register.

New Bulbs Increase Efficiency, Preserve Capitol Artwork

New LED light bulbs have been installed throughout the Oklahoma state Capitol, and the savings go beyond energy and money. The priceless, historical artwork of the Capitol, slowly suffering from years of heat-producing bulbs, is better protected thanks to an effort by the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES). In partnership with the Oklahoma Arts Council and the Capitol Preservation Commission, OMES has replaced traditional 150-watt bulbs with 10-watt LED bulbs, an investment that will pay for itself in four years, and preserve the collection through which Oklahoma citizens, students and out-of-state visitors will learn about our state's story for generations to come.

Read an article in The Oklahoman about the effort to preserve the Capitol artwork.

'Artist INC' Program to Offer Cutting-Edge Training for Oklahoma Artists

Oklahoma artists of all disciplines can apply to be one of 25 participants in a cutting-edge training program aimed at addressing business needs and other challenges. The program, Artist INC, established in 2009 in Kansas City, is being offered for the first time in Oklahoma, thanks to a partnership between the Oklahoma Arts Council, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, and Mid-America Arts Alliance.

Offered at a nominal fee, the Oklahoma program will be hosted by the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, in collaboration with the Norman Arts Council, Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, Oklahoma Film & Music Office, and the City of Oklahoma City Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs.

The program offers artists opportunities to learn through mentorship, expert presentations and peer networks. Artists will gain:

  • Tools and skills in arts planning, marketing, finance, law and technology

  • An increased knowledge of and ability to access local and national art business resources

  • A strategic artist's plan for pursuing, marketing and sustaining their art

  • A long-term network of cross-discipline, diverse artists to provide peer learning and support into the future

For more information or to apply click here.

Central Oklahoma Nonprofits Can Apply for Free Public Relations Help

Central Oklahoma nonprofit organizations can apply to have a team of public relations professionals plan their special event or campaign at no cost through PR 360, an annual public service event hosted by the Oklahoma City Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

PR 360 is open to officially chartered 501(c)3 nonprofits in central Oklahoma that do not have a full-time public relations practitioner on staff. Selected nonprofits will be matched with a team of PRSA members who will develop a PR plan for the nonprofit’s proposed event or campaign. The professional teams will present their plans to nonprofit representatives at the PR 360 luncheon on June 19. The luncheon will also include a media panel discussion on nonprofit media and communications.

Deadline to apply is April 19. Click here to learn more or to apply.

Creative Schools Can Win $10,000 through 'Elevate the Arts'

Creative students can help their schools win up to $10,000 through "Elevate the Arts," a contest sponsored by American Girl through a partnership with Americans for the Arts. The contest includes two elements: a digital image of artwork produced through student collaboration and an essay of 500 words or less. The essay should explain why the arts matter to schools.

Projects must be created by schools' art classes, with students between ages 8 and 12, and submitted by the art teacher. Deadline to submit an entry is May 31, 2013.

Click here to learn more.

Introducing Our New Arts Learning in Communities Director

The Oklahoma Arts Council is pleased to announce Renee Boone as the newest member of our team! As the Council's Arts Learning in Communities Director, Boone will oversee grants and programs that encourage lifelong learning opportunities in the arts, including classes and workshops for people of all ages and abilities as well as programs that utilize the arts to address specific community needs. Boone will also serve as the Council's accessibility coordinator.

Boone graduated from Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor of Music in music therapy and a Master of Sacred Music. She is a Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC). Boone has taught voice, piano, and musical theatre; worked as a music therapist in private practice; and directed choirs in New York, Dallas, and Atlanta.

For questions related to arts learning programming that takes place in community settings or during after-school or summer hours, contact Renee Boone at (405) 521-2036 or renee.boone@arts.ok.gov.