Oklahoma Arts Council News
January 2016
How the Every Student Succeeds Act benefits arts education
On December 10, 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into law. Several provisions of the new law are likely to benefit arts education opportunities. Changes also mean more local and state control over education.
The Every Student Succeeds Act includes:
- Dedicated funding for arts education through the "Assistance for Arts Education" grant program
- The arts in the definition of "a well-rounded education," ensuring that the arts continue to be eligible for Title I funds
- Support for integrating the arts into STEM programs
Robert Lynch, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts, said the new law, "holds great promise for restoring arts education as central to the school day and in the lives of students and our nation's future workforce."
Moving forward, what does this mean for arts education? >>
With more local and state control over education, there will be renewed focus on state level arts education policies. The Oklahoma Arts Council is one of ten partner organizations working with Americans for the Arts (AFTA) to strengthen such policies through AFTA's State Policy Pilot Program.
Oklahoma Arts Council unveils new strategic plan
The Oklahoma Arts Council has a new strategic plan that will guide agency efforts for the next five years. The development of a new strategic plan coincided with the celebration of our 50th anniversary during 2015. With our first fifty years defined by efforts to make the arts and arts education accessible to individuals in all parts of our state, our next fifty years holds even greater promise for expanding the impact of the arts beyond traditional areas. Our new strategic plan will set the foundation for this new era in the arts in Oklahoma.
The 2016-2020 strategic plan resulted from months of surveys, interviews, and town hall meetings across the state. Our thanks to those who provided valuable input toward this effort.
Reminder about Major Grant, Organizational Support applications
Oklahoma Arts Council grantees in the Major Grant Support or Organizational Support categories are encouraged to take notice of upcoming grant application deadlines:
- Major Grant Support – February 18
- Organizational Support – March 1
Applicants should also be sure to submit all required support materials by the respective deadlines. Support materials can be submitted electronically to grants@arts.ok.gov. Small Grant Support applications continue to be due 60 days before the start of a project.
For questions about grant applications or required support materials, please contact an Oklahoma Arts Council program director:
- Jennifer Allen-Barron, Arts Education
- Christina Beatty, Community Arts
- Chandra Boyd, Arts Learning in Communities
Guidelines, deadlines announced for NEA grants
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced application guidelines and deadlines for grants in its Art Works and Challenge America funding categories. Oklahoma organizations are encouraged to apply for funding for eligible projects. Learn more about each below:
• Art Works – Grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 are available to organizations across artistic disciplines. The first deadline in this category is February 18, 2016.
Learn about Art Works grants >>
• Challenge America – Grants of $10,000 are available in this category, which provides support for small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations. The first deadline is April 14, 2016.
Learn about Challenge America grants >>
Be sure to take advantage of upcoming NEA webinars to learn how your organization can benefit from these grant programs.
Related >> Three Oklahoma organizations earn NEA grants.
Creativity Connects pilot grant opportunity announced by NEA
Does your organization partner with a non-arts organization to serve people in your community? Projects involving such partnerships may be eligible for funding through Creativity Connects, a pilot grant opportunity of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Non-arts partners can include organizations in sectors such as business, education, environment, faith, finance, food, health, science, and technology.
Projects may include:
- The creation of art through collaborations
- Projects that use the arts to support the creative needs of non-arts sectors
- Projects that explore the intersection of artistic creativity and creativity in non-arts sectors
- Projects that use the arts and the creative process to address complex issues
- And, more
The Creativity Connects grant opportunity is part of the NEA's Art Works funding category. Organizations that submit applications for Creativity Connects grants are still eligible to submit in the Art Works category.
Learn more about this grant opportunity >>
The first deadline for submissions is March 3, 2016.
$500 classroom grants available for art supplies
Teachers seeking funding for art supplies for their classrooms can apply for grants of up to $500 from the Association of American Educators (AAE). Funds can be used for a variety of materials.
Grant proposals should include information about materials and costs for which funding is being requested. Applicants should be prepared to submit a lesson plan and describe how students will benefit from the materials.
The spring deadline for applications is March 1, 2016.
Theaters can apply for funding for Shakespeare programs
Arts Midwest is currently inviting nonprofit theater companies nationwide to submit proposals for Shakespeare in American Communities, a national program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
Through the program, successful applicants will receive funding to perform works of Shakespeare for middle- and high-school students during the 2016-17 school year. Up to 40 theater companies will be awarded grant funding to support performances and related educational activities. Standard grant awards are $25,000.
Deadline to apply is February 4, 2016
Mark the Oklahoma Arts Conference on your 2016 calendar
The new year has just begun and now is the time to mark important dates on your 2016 calendar. For Oklahomans involved in the arts, October 25-26 could be two of the most important days of the year. On those dates, more than 400 artists, nonprofit administrators and board members, community developers, civic leaders, educators, and others from across the state will come together in Stillwater for the 2016 Oklahoma Arts Conference.
Be sure to mark October 25-26 on your calendar now. Look for more details about the 2016 conference in upcoming newsletters and on social media.