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Oklahoma Arts Council News

November 2013

2013 Governor's Arts Awards Honorees Announced

Two longtime fixtures of their respective arts communities will be honored with the prestigious Governor's Award during the upcoming 38th annual Governor's Arts Awards. Governor Mary Fallin will present the awards on Wednesday, November 13, at 4 p.m. in the fourth floor rotunda of the Oklahoma state Capitol.

Dr. G. Barry Epperley, founder and conductor of the Signature Symphony at Tulsa Community College, and Chuck Tweed, a founding member of the Oklahoma Community Theatre Association, co-founder of Summerstock Productions and veteran production designer for Jewel Box Theatre, are among 17 individuals and two organizations that will be honored in various categories.

The ceremony will feature special performances by renowned opera singer Leona Mitchell and an Edmond North High School Orchestra quartet led by Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Peter Markes. The event is free and open to the public. For individuals with accessibility needs, visit our website for information on how we can assist you.

View the complete list of 2013 Governor's Arts Awards recipients.

Apply for the 2014 Leadership Arts Program

Applications are being accepted through December 2 for the 2014 Leadership Arts program. Each year, 30 participants from across the state are selected to participate in the program, which provides in-depth curriculum focused on the arts' role in economic development, education and quality of life. Participants learn how to mobilize their leadership skills and become advocates for the arts in their communities.

Selected participants will attend four two-day spring sessions in communities throughout the state and graduate from the program during the 2014 Oklahoma Arts Conference in Norman (October 22-23).
Sessions include group work, hands-on learning, panel discussions, and tours of community art spaces.

Staff and board members of nonprofit arts organizations, artists, business and civic leaders, community developers, educators and others can benefit from the program.

Click here to learn more and to apply for the 2014 Leadership Arts program.

Ardmore Welcomes 300+ for the Oklahoma Arts Conference

The community of Ardmore played host to more than 300 Oklahomans involved in the arts and cultural industry during the Oklahoma Arts Conference in October. From Guymon to Miami, Idabel to Altus, communities statewide were represented. Check out photos of the event on the Oklahoma Arts Council Facebook page.

In the News
In case you missed it, the conference was featured in the Ardmore newspaper and on local television stations!

Give us Your Feedback!
There is still time to give us your feedback about the 2013 conference. Help us improve your conference experience and know how to meet your professional development needs by taking a few minutes to complete this survey.

Mark your calendars
2014 Oklahoma Arts Conference
October 22-23
Norman

ArtPlace America's 2014 Innovation Grants Available

A supporter of creative placemaking, ArtPlace America invests in art and culture as key ingredients of community transformation. The organization has awarded 134 grants totaling $42.1 million across the U.S.
ArtPlace America is now accepting letters of inquiry through December 13 for its 2014 Innovation Grants. The program is designed to invest in collaborative projects that reach for new possibilities in increasing community vibrancy through place-based strategies.

Learn more about ArtPlace America's 2014 Innovation Grants here.

Check out ArtPlace America's 15 Questions to Ask About Creative Placemaking Proposals.

Ralph Ellison Portrait Planned for State Capitol

A portrait of one of Oklahoma's most acclaimed writers, Ralph Ellison, who authored the 1953 National Book Award winning novel Invisible Man, will soon join portraits of other celebrated Oklahomans at the state Capitol.

State Senator David Holt (Oklahoma City) is spearheading fundraising and commissioning efforts to have Ellison's portrait added to the Capitol Art Collection. Sen. Holt hopes the thousands of students, tourists and other visitors to the Capitol each year can be inspired by Ellison's accomplishments.

Staff of the Oklahoma Arts Council along with Friends of the Capitol and the Capitol Preservation Commission are advising and working with Sen. Holt on the project.

Read more about the planned portrait here.

'The Big Read' Applications Available

Designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture, The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts that offers selected organizations grant funding, access to online training, and educational and promotional materials designed to support widespread community involvement.

Nonprofit organizations, public libraries, and divisions of state, local or tribal governments are eligible to apply for The Big Read. Approximately 75 organizations in communities throughout the country will be selected to participate. Deadline to apply is January 28, 2014

Click here to learn more about The Big Read.

Apply for 'American Music Abroad' Program

A program of the United States Department of State, American Music Abroad is designed to share America's music and foster cross-cultural connections with audiences across the world. Oklahoma performing artists can apply to be part of the global endeavor now through January 6, 2014.

Artists who perform American musical genres including blues, bluegrass, Cajun, country, folk, Latin, gospel, jazz, R&B and more can apply. The program covers international travel, lodging and meals for selected artists.

For complete details, visit the American Music Abroad website.

Apply for 'American Music Abroad' Program

The Oklahoma Arts Council is pleased to welcome Jeongwon Ham to our Performing Artist Roster. Currently an associate professor of piano at the University of Oklahoma, Ham has competed and performed internationlly. She has served as artist-in-residence at Renmin University of China in Beijing and has taught in Berlin, Germany, and at the University of Northern Iowa.

Ham offers concert performances as well as master classes. For more information, visit her Oklahoma Performing Artist Roster page on our website.