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.

Art is woven into the fabric of our nation. Creative expression has always been how Americans process their history, sha...
06/11/2026

Art is woven into the fabric of our nation. Creative expression has always been how Americans process their history, share their struggles, and celebrate.

When we invest in local arts, we are strengthening the social and economic threads that hold our communities together. 🧵

Quilt, Eagle pattern ca. 1837-50
Source: The Met Open Access

As highlighted by the National Conference of State Legislatures, lawmakers from different parties and states are alignin...
06/10/2026

As highlighted by the National Conference of State Legislatures, lawmakers from different parties and states are aligning to protect regular consumers from automated bots and fraudulent pricing. Access to live entertainment is a bipartisan "quality-of-life issue."

A healthy creative economy relies on real people being able to fill seats. We are encouraged to see leaders across the country coming together to advocate for fairness, transparency, and consumer protection in the arts.

Read more about how states are collaborating on these crucial reforms: https://www.ok4arts.org/advocacy-updates

Shirley Quaid didn’t grow up with access to the arts at home.Her first real experience came in a 5th grade classroom, wh...
06/08/2026

Shirley Quaid didn’t grow up with access to the arts at home.

Her first real experience came in a 5th grade classroom, when a teacher introduced watercolor. It stuck with her — but opportunities after that were limited.

Looking back, she knows how much earlier access could have shaped her path.

Today, as a working artist, she sees how the arts help students think for themselves, solve problems and process emotions — skills that reach far beyond the classroom.

Access to arts education gives students the opportunity to explore, build confidence and develop critical thinking skills that last a lifetime.

Join Shirley and others working to ensure Oklahoma students have access to the arts.

Become an Oklahoman for the Arts to stay informed about opportunities to strengthen the arts in our state. https://www.ok4arts.org/oklahomans-for-the-arts

We're one month away from the United States 250th Anniversary! As we head toward the 4th of July, we celebrate the archi...
06/04/2026

We're one month away from the United States 250th Anniversary! As we head toward the 4th of July, we celebrate the architects and artists who designed the buildings where policy and progress happen. 🏛️📜

Every pillar, dome, and rotunda in our halls of government was intentionally designed to reflect the ideals of democracy.

Architectural Drawing of the United States Capitol Dome (1859) by Thomas Ustick Walter
Source: The Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division (Public Domain)

This National Conference of State Legislators Article shows that there is strong support for consumer protections on bot...
06/03/2026

This National Conference of State Legislators Article shows that there is strong support for consumer protections on both sides of the aisle. Both legislators framed their proposals not as an attempt to control markets wholesale, but as a response to conduct they say distorts those markets and misleads the public.

Mark Hiner, Ohio (R) has concerns for consumers, saying bots create “an artificial competition that a consumer just can’t win.” Because automated systems can buy tickets in bulk at high speed, he says, “an individual buyer just cannot get in and compete.”

Read the article: https://www.ok4arts.org/advocacy-updates

These races choose the candidates for Governor, State Superintendent, and our State Legislature, they are also determini...
06/02/2026

These races choose the candidates for Governor, State Superintendent, and our State Legislature, they are also determining who will manage our state’s cultural investments for years to come.

Why your vote on June 16th matters:
✨ Statewide Funding: Our state leaders decide the budget for the Oklahoma Arts Council, which fuels programs in all 77 counties.
✨ Creative Workforce: Leadership at the state level determines how we attract talent and businesses to Oklahoma through quality-of-life initiatives.
✨ The Primary Power: In Oklahoma, the Primary is often where the most critical decisions are made. Showing up now ensures that arts-friendly leaders make it to the final stage.

Before you go:
📍 Check Your Status: Visit the OK Voter Portal to confirm your registration and polling place.
📑 Preview Your Ballot: See exactly which state and federal races are on your ticket.
🔍 Research: Look for candidates who recognize that a vibrant arts community means a stronger economy and education system for all Oklahomans.

When we vote for the arts, we vote for a more prosperous Oklahoma. See you at the polls on June 16th! 🏛️🎨

LaQuincey Reed didn’t discover sculpture until he was in college.Now, as a professional sculptor and former art teacher,...
06/01/2026

LaQuincey Reed didn’t discover sculpture until he was in college.

Now, as a professional sculptor and former art teacher, he’s seen how access to the arts shapes students in ways they don’t always recognize right away.

Many of his students didn’t go on to become artists — but years later, they’ve told him those classes gave them a way to decompress, think differently and experience joy during demanding seasons of life.

Access to arts education gives students the opportunity to explore, create and develop skills they carry with them long after they leave the classroom.

Join LaQuincey and others working to ensure Oklahoma students continue to have access to the arts.

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

How much is an investment in the arts worth? In Oklahoma, the answer is a clear $6 return for every dollar spent. 📈🎨Acco...
05/27/2026

How much is an investment in the arts worth? In Oklahoma, the answer is a clear $6 return for every dollar spent. 📈🎨

According to the latest data from The Economic Impact of the Oklahoma Arts Council’s Grantees and Their Audiences, every $1 in Oklahoma Arts Council funding helps generate $6 in state and local tax revenue.

This is about fueling a powerful economic engine that pours money back into our local communities, schools, and infrastructure.

When we invest in the arts, we are investing in a more prosperous Oklahoma for everyone.

The numbers speak for themselves:
$1 investment = $6 in tax revenue.
Supporting our $5.4 billion creative industry

It’s time to start seeing arts investment it for what it is: a high-yield investment in our state's future. 🌟🔗 Learn more about the economic impact of the arts
https://www.ok4arts.org/economy

For Leondre Lattimore, art is part of everything.From the clothes we wear to the spaces we move through, creativity shap...
05/25/2026

For Leondre Lattimore, art is part of everything.

From the clothes we wear to the spaces we move through, creativity shapes how we experience the world — and how communities grow.

Through his work with the City of Oklahoma City’s public art program, he’s seen how art can reflect a community, bring people together and even shape how a city develops over time.

“Art pushes you to have an open mind and understand different perspectives. At a basic level, art can just make someone’s day better.”

The arts don’t just belong in galleries — they show up in everyday life, in ways both big and small.

Join Leondre and others across Oklahoma who believe in the power of the arts.

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

Due to the removal of fine arts graduation requirements, thousands of Oklahoma students are graduating without the creat...
05/22/2026

Due to the removal of fine arts graduation requirements, thousands of Oklahoma students are graduating without the creative problem-solving and collaboration skills that the modern economy demands.

Our Arts Education Data Dashboard reveals a sobering reality: there is currently a 16.8% gap in arts access across the state. This means a significant portion of our graduates have not taken an art class in high school.

Failing to require arts education is a setback for Oklahoma’s future workforce. 💼🎨

Explore the arts education data and become an Oklahoman for the Arts to set up our students for success.
https://www.ok4arts.org/oklahoma-arts-education

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Oklahoma City, OK

Opening Hours

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

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+14058873515

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