Oklahomans for the Arts

Oklahomans for the Arts Oklahomans for the Arts is a nonprofit statewide arts organization that is committed to advancing the arts through advocacy, education, and engagement.
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Oklahomans for the Arts is a statewide advocacy organization promoting the value of arts and culture and arts education to all residents of Oklahoma. Through research, capacity building and communication,OFTA advances widespread support of all the arts, enhances the health of the arts and cultural sector, and fosters a climate in which the arts as a major component of economic development can thri

ve. OFTA's work is grounded in the belief that the arts play an essential role in the social, economic and educational growth and vitality of Oklahoma; and that the arts must embrace all, celebrate all, and be accessible to all. The arts are established as central and indispensable to Oklahoma communities and residents. As one of the State's leading industries, the arts are acknowledged to enhance the quality of life, fuel creativity and innovation, sharpen the state's competitive edge, promote cross-cultural understanding, and connect Oklahoma to the international community.

Georgia is supporting creative careers. 🎨⚡By pairing federal Workforce Pell Grants with state initiatives like the Georg...
08/04/2026

Georgia is supporting creative careers. 🎨⚡

By pairing federal Workforce Pell Grants with state initiatives like the Georgia Film Academy and Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), the state is making arts and technical media training tuition-free. Short-term programs in film production, digital design, and audio tech are turning into jobs with no 4-year degree required.

Curious about how to support arts education in Oklahoma? Subscribe to our newsletter for arts advocacy opportunities and updates: https://secure.everyaction.com/5w6CPKFsYEmu9xiN64Y-qQ2

Did you know? The Oklahoma Arts Council does the on-the-ground work of supporting arts and culture across our state — fu...
07/29/2026

Did you know? The Oklahoma Arts Council does the on-the-ground work of supporting arts and culture across our state — funding local programs, arts education, and creative economies in all 77 counties.

But as a state agency, it can't use public funds to lobby or rally citizens for its own budget. That's the line public agencies can't cross.

That's where Oklahomans for the Arts comes in. OFTA carries the message to the Capitol — educating lawmakers, making the case for public arts funding, and mobilizing the community support the agency legally can't.

State arts funding doesn't just happen. It takes a community speaking up.

Federal arts funding is under threat.Budget negotiations in Washington could slash the National Endowment for the Arts (...
07/24/2026

Federal arts funding is under threat.

Budget negotiations in Washington could slash the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) by up to 35%, taking funding to its lowest level since 2007.

Why this matters for Oklahoma:
Nearly half of NEA funding goes straight to state agencies like the Oklahoma Arts Council. Cuts like this directly threaten:
🌾 Rural Programs: Arts education and local festivals in communities private funding doesn't reach.
🎭 Local Economies: Small businesses, local jobs, and vibrant downtowns supported by community arts.

The Senate can still save federal arts funding but they need to hear from you. 🏛️

Take 2 minutes to protect Oklahoma arts! Visit our website to send a quick, pre-written letter directly to our Oklahoma senators!
https://www.ok4arts.org/oklahoma-advocacy-alert

Did you know there are over 6,000 deceptive websites out there designed to trick music fans into buying overpriced, scal...
07/23/2026

Did you know there are over 6,000 deceptive websites out there designed to trick music fans into buying overpriced, scalped tickets? 🛑👇

A new report from the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) highlights how ticket scalpers are creating fake artist and venue websites using official logos and confusing URLs to trick fans into paying massive markups on the secondary market.

This is exactly why we need stronger protections. Oklahomans for the Arts is fighting to protect Oklahomans from these predatory practices, ensuring transparency, and keeping live entertainment fair and accessible for everyone.

You shouldn't have to navigate a broken system just to see your favorite artists. Let’s protect our local music scene and the fans who support it!

👉 Read the full story and learn more: https://www.ok4arts.org/ofta

Arts education is essential for a well-rounded education. The data speaks for itself. 📊✨From driving a 90.2% high school...
07/19/2026

Arts education is essential for a well-rounded education. The data speaks for itself. 📊✨

From driving a 90.2% high school graduation rate to cutting disciplinary incidents by over 20%, the arts are proven catalysts for academic success and emotional well-being. Yet, access across Oklahoma isn't equal.

Want to see how your local school district measures up? Head over to the link in our bio to check out the Oklahoma Arts Education Data Dashboard. Let's work together to make sure every Oklahoma student gets the education they deserve! 🎨🎷🎭

Oklahomans for the Arts is working at the State Capitol, specifically on arts education issues.Not arts funding generall...
07/18/2026

Oklahomans for the Arts is working at the State Capitol, specifically on arts education issues.

Not arts funding generally. Not education broadly. Arts education — Oklahoma classrooms, Oklahoma programs, Oklahoma students.

We're a nonpartisan nonprofit, and our mission is simple: protect and increase public funding for the arts and arts education, and make sure the people making policy decisions understand what's at stake in your classroom. We'll make sure the Capitol is listening.

Donate today to support our arts education advocacy efforts.
https://www.ok4arts.org/donate

Background art: School Time, Winslow Homer
Public domain via National Gallery of Art

Supporting the Oklahoma Fraud and Ticketing Accountability Act (OFTA) is a step toward creating a transparent marketplac...
07/14/2026

Supporting the Oklahoma Fraud and Ticketing Accountability Act (OFTA) is a step toward creating a transparent marketplace for live events. By cracking down on automated ticket bots, speculative sales, hidden fees, and predatory markups, OFTA ensures that real fans, not scalpers, get access to the shows they love at reasonable prices.

When ticketing is transparent, the revenue goes back into supporting our local artists, independent venues, and communities.

🎟️ Ready to stand up for Oklahoma's music scene? Click the link to read more and add your voice to the cause: https://www.ok4arts.org/ofta

Connect policy to people, invite your elected officials to your art event!Seeing the value of the arts firsthand from th...
07/08/2026

Connect policy to people, invite your elected officials to your art event!

Seeing the value of the arts firsthand from the jobs created and the community connections forged, it is one of the most powerful form of advocacy.

Even if the elected official wasn't able to attend, this keeps the art organizations and events in their area on their radar.

Art isn’t just enrichment. It’s where confidence, communication and empathy begin.Bethany Children's Health Center sees ...
07/06/2026

Art isn’t just enrichment. It’s where confidence, communication and empathy begin.
Bethany Children's Health Center sees that every day.

Ashleigh Robinson, director of development & public affairs at Bethany Children’s, says her early arts experiences shaped how she shows up in the world today:
“Being involved in theater helped me build communication skills and empathy. It taught me how to listen to other people’s stories and perspectives.”

Now, she sees that same impact in a different setting.

At Bethany Children’s, music therapy and creative experiences give kids more than something to do — they help them heal. Whether through therapy, painting with family member or watching performances from local organizations like OKC Phil and Lyric Theatre, the experiences help them to process what they’ve been through and connect with their families.

“Gaining the skills and language to share their experiences is healing in many ways.”
That’s the power of the arts — not just what they create, but what they make possible.

Become a member of Oklahomans for the Arts to help us continue to advocate on behalf of students. https://www.ok4arts.org/individual-membership

What did the Fourth of July look like over 200 years ago? Fourth of July in Centre Square by John Lewis Krimmel captures...
07/04/2026

What did the Fourth of July look like over 200 years ago? Fourth of July in Centre Square by John Lewis Krimmel captures the energy of an early American Fourth of July celebration.

From our earliest days, Americans have gathered in public spaces to celebrate our democracy through music, food, art, and community gatherings. Our local celebrations, concerts, and public art events aren't just entertainment, they are the spaces where community is built and sustained.

John Lewis Krimmel
Fourth of July in Centre Square (1812)
Oil on canvas

Source: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

Address

Oklahoma City, OK

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14058873515

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