Oklahoma Arts Council News

Oklahoma Arts Council FY26 State Appropriation Announced

The state legislative session ended in May, and while we now know the state's appropriation to the Oklahoma Arts Council for fiscal year 2026, uncertainty remains as we wait to learn about our federal funding—nearly 20 percent of our budget comes from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

We are grateful state leaders are showing continued belief in our agency, entrusting us to lead a sector that serves essential needs in Oklahoma. We do not take this calling for granted.

For fiscal year 2026, the state's appropriation to the Oklahoma Arts Council increased by $405,855 to $4,308,180. This increase reflects one-time funding for Capitol collections and care. In a challenging budget year, this is positive. However, looking ahead, our agency will have increased expenses when we move back into the Jim Thorpe Building after its renovation is finished next year. Additionally, flat funding does not account for the  inflationary environment we face.

As we wait to learn about federal funding, we face challenges felt by organizations across the arts sector. Long-term thinking and planning has been difficult. We recognize that uncertainty is undermining a sense of security for the sector. We also recognize the impact of canceled NEA grants to numerous Oklahoma organizations. If there is one certainty we can offer, it is that our agency is committed to helping organizations navigate through this uncertain time.

We will continue to offer updates about our fiscal year 2026 budget as it becomes clearer in the weeks ahead. An exact timeline is unknown. During this crucial period, know that our sector has shown profound resilience in the past, and we believe it will continue to persevere.

FY26 Grant Award Notifications to be Delayed

Organizations applying for fiscal year 2026 grant funding from the Oklahoma Arts Council should expect a delay in their award notifications. The delay is due to to a deferred timeline for issuing federal funding through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), which is impacting NEA state partnership grants to state arts agencies including the Oklahoma Arts Council.

Because of the deferred federal timeline, review and approval of our fiscal year 2026 budget and grants by our 15-member Governor-appointed Council will take place one month later than normal this year, in mid-July. Notices are expected to go out in August. Grant awards will cover the period of expenses starting July 1, 2025.

Oklahoma Arts Council staff is working under a condensed timeline to process more than 250 applications for fiscal year 2026 while closing out more than 600 grant awards from fiscal year 2025. We remain committed to ensuring timely service where possible to grantee organizations.

Questions can be directed to grants@arts.ok.gov.

Volunteer Docents Sought for Tours at the State Capitol

Managed by the Oklahoma Arts Council, the Oklahoma State Capitol docent program equips individuals to provide one-of-a-kind educational experiences in art, history, and government for students, families, and visitors from around the world. Training begins soon for those interested in becoming a volunteer Capitol docent.

The program—designed with flexibility to accommodate schedules—is ideal for retirees, former educators, corporate volunteers, civic leaders, art and history enthusiasts, and others. Benefits of serving include special VIP experiences, behind-the-scenes access to select events, opportunities to meet and learn from the artists, and more. Docents lead 45-minute tours throughout six floors of the historic building, covering topics ranging from art and history to architecture and government.

New docent training will take place Wednesdays in July (July 9, 16, 23, and 30), from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.—a total of eight hours of training is required. Docent trainees will tour the Capitol, hear from special guests, and receive detailed information about the legislative process. They will also explore key elements of the Capitol's architecture and learn about the Oklahoma State Capitol Art Collection. Click here to apply.

Levitt Funding Available for Community Music Series

Does your Oklahoma community need help establishing or supporting a live music series reflecting the town's unique character? The Levitt AMP [Your City] Music Series is a multi-year matching grant opportunity available to towns of 250,000 people or less that seeks to amplify community pride, enrich lives, and illustrate the importance of vibrant public places. Up to $40,000 per year is available.

Launched in 2015, the program is described as a "catalytic opportunity" for building community through music. Funding helps communities activate underused public spaces and strengthen the social fabric of its residents. 

In addition to financial support, the Levitt Foundation provides grant recipients with toolkits, best practices, program frameworks, and trainings. Clinton, Oklahoma, launched a music series in 2023 with Levitt support.

Applications for the 2026-2028 grant period are currently open. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.

Arts Projects Awarded Funding as Part of Route 66 Revitalization

The arts continue to be at the center of efforts to revitalize Route 66 as the nation prepares to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the "Mother Road" in 2026. Several arts organizations are receiving funding as part of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce's third round of grants for Route 66 projects. The Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program is a partnership between the Department of Commerce and the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission.

Among the 12 grants announced were awards for The Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park (Edmond), Rivers Edge Arts Society/Gallery@112 (Sayre), and The Church Studio Music Foundation (Tulsa).

More Funding Available

The chance to apply for the next round of funding opens August 15. Click here for information.

Jenks Student Reaches Finals in National Poetry Out Loud Competition

Elisha Dalmeida of Jenks High School earned a spot as one of nine finalists in this year's national Poetry Out Loudcompetition. Dalmeida won the state competition in March, receiving a paid trip to Washington, D.C., to represent Oklahoma in May. Dalmeida's placement as one of the finalists represented Oklahoma's best performance in recent years. Her placement earned her a cash prize and earned her school hundreds of dollars to purchase poetry materials. View Elisha' video from Poetry Out Loud.

Oklahoma A+ Schools Institute (OKA+) at the University of Central Oklahoma manages the state's Poetry Out Loud competition in collaboration with the Oklahoma Arts Council. The program is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Poetry Foundation.

Owasso Student Winner of NEA Musical Theater Songwriting Competition

Owasso's Judah Brown was selected as one of eight winners of the National Endowment for the Arts' (NEA) Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge in May. The Owasso Preparatory Academy student's song "Fool"—an original composition—will be performed by Broadway performers in New York City on June 16 as part of a concert honoring this year's winners.

Brown's was one of 90 submissions the NEA received from students across the United States. Students who enter the competition receive access to online masterclasses, coaching sessions, and other educational resources. Winning students earn scholarship money and a trip to New York City to work with mentors who help them finalize their orchestrations.

The program is a partnership of the NEA and the National Alliance for Musical Theatre. Read the announcement here.

Blue Star Museums Registration Available

Museums across Oklahoma can register to take part in the 2025 Blue Star Museums program, offering free admission to the nation's active-duty military personnel and their families. The program is a partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families in collaboration with the Department of Defense. Each year, more than 2,000 museums nationwide participate. This year's program runs from Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 17, through Labor Day, Monday, September 1, 2025.

Museums can register here.

Note Changes to Oklahoma Arts Council Phone Numbers

Take note as you reach out to Oklahoma Arts Council staff to use our correct, current phone numbers. As a cost-cutting measure and an effort to operate efficiently, most of our landlines are soon to be a thing of the past.

Nearly all of our longtime (405) 521-#### numbers are going away July 1. Staff members will continue to be available on their mobile phones. Be sure to update our numbers in your records and to reference our staff page before reaching out to us.

Celebrating Council Members for their Service

Fifteen Governor-appointed citizens of Oklahoma serve as the volunteer governing body of the Oklahoma Arts Council. Members provide oversight of agency budgeting and activities, including the investment of hundreds of grants across the state each year. Each is committed to public stewardship and the arts. Below, we recognize their service.

Kristie Buergler (OKC) completes her second, and final, three-year term on the Council in June. She has served as Council chair since July 1, 2024. Buergler was instrumental in helping the agency secure $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the arts sector. She also helped reopen the Betty Price Gallery at the state Capitol in February.

Also completing terms on the Council in June areVicente Ruiz(Sperry) and Deanne Carter(Moore). Both have served on the Council since 2022. New appointments to the Council will be announced soon, with new members set to join July 1.

Rotating Capitol Gallery Exhibitions to be Suspended

Having recently reopened after the restoration of the Oklahoma State Capitol, the rotating Capitol galleries are being suspended due to ongoing uncertainties in federal arts funding and staffing constraints directed to state agencies. Both issues affect the Oklahoma Arts Council's ability to staff and manage curatorial needs at the Capitol.

Rotations of exhibitions by current Oklahoma artists will end with the current shows in July in the North, East, and Governor's galleries. Scheduled rotations of works in the Oklahoma State Art Collection in the Betty Price Gallery are also being suspended at this time.

The rotating galleries have been a mainstay of the Oklahoma Arts Council's work for more than 40 years, and they will continue to be a priority once staff resources and capacity allow. The galleries are instrumental to our agency's educational mission as thousands of students and visitors tour the Capitol each year. 

View the Final Round of Capitol Exhibitions

Oklahoma Arts Council curatorial staff have installed the final round of exhibitions in the galleries before the suspension takes effect. Use the links to learn about the artists and their work on display.

All galleries are free and open to the public. The East Gallery and North Gallery are open weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and weekends 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Governor's Gallery and Betty Price Gallery are open weekdays only, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.