Arts: Economic Impact Reports Available

News From Oklahomans for the Arts:  Oklahomans advocating to increase support of the arts, culture and arts education across Oklahoma. 

unnamed (1)A message from executive director Julia Kirt:

Oklahoma’s arts and culture nonprofits generated direct economic activity of $872,830,632 in Fiscal Year 2015.   Continue reading

Last Call: Bruce Goff Shin’enKan exhibit ends Sunday at Price Tower Arts Center

By Glenda Rice Collins

BARTLESVILLE, Okla., USA — This week I felt a vital, revived connection, when I toured the ongoing Price Tower Arts Center exhibition, Shin’enKan: House of the Far Away Heart, which ends March 26.  Bruce Goff’s  spirited and somewhat spiritual, avant-garde Oklahoma masterpiece was engulfed in flames some 20 years ago.   Continue reading

News Alert RE: Proposed Arts Funding Cuts & Elimination of NEA

Statement from Amber Sharples, Executive Director, Oklahoma Arts Council

Oklahoma City, Okla., USA–“On March 16, the White House released its budget proposal for fiscal year 2018, calling for reductions to a range of government programs and the elimination of federal support for the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.   
“In light of the president’s proposal, it is important to remember that Congress ultimately decides how to allocate federal funds. The proposal is the beginning of a conversation, one in which Oklahomans can actively participate.
“As a state agency, the Oklahoma Arts Council does not design or coordinate advocacy efforts. However, part of our mandate is to educate Oklahomans about the impact of the arts in communities and schools across our state. So, as always, we invite you to use us as a resource for information, and allow us to serve you as a connector.
“Should you be interested in advocacy efforts at the state and national level, we suggest you connect with our friends at Oklahomans for the Arts and Americans for the Arts.
Further, we invite you to embrace this moment as an opportunity: to express your passion for the arts, articulate the impact the arts have had on your life and in your community, and actively engage in this process by which our nation proclaims its values and vision.
“In the meantime, we will be here, as we have been for more than 50 years, working to ensure that all Oklahomans can experience the benefits of the arts and arts education. 
Thank you for all you do to serve your community through the arts.”

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Review: Tulsa Ballet world premiere brings hi-tech aura to ‘OZ’ themes

By Glenda Rice Collins

TULSA, Okla. USA–The world premiere of Edwaard Liang’s glittering Dorothy and the Prince of Oz ballet last week brought Broadway theatrics to the staging of sophisticated ballet with contemporary choreography extraordinaire. Liang’s masterful authority over details  presided  during  the February 10 debut at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.     Continue reading

Tulsa Ballet world premiere takes flight this weekend

TULSA, Okla. USA–The world premiere of celebrated American choreographer Edwaard Liang‘s Dorothy and the Prince of Oz debuts this weekend, February 10-12, 2017 at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, as the distinguished, internationally-acclaimed Tulsa Ballet continues the celebration of its 2016-17 Diamond Anniversary season.   Continue reading

Russian ballet in Oklahoma: cultural synergy celebrated in ‘Don Quixote’

By Glenda Rice Collins   (Updated 2-7-17)

Part I of a two-part focus: celebrating the synergy of cultural diversity in the arts*

EDMOND, Okla. — The excitement, brilliance and buoyancy of Mikhail Baryshnikov‘s fast-paced 1983 staging of the Don Quixote ballet (after Marius Petipa) was brought to life again last week by the touring  dancers of the Russian National Ballet Theatre, featured  at the opulent  Armstrong Auditorium — a  stunning reminder of the artistic (and personal) merits of embracing cultural diversity and global travel. Continue reading

Oklahoma Osage Ballet Santa Fe Bound

By Glenda Rice Collins, Arts Columnist

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. USA — “I love making beautiful things,” says Osage Ballet director Randy Tinker Smith, “Whether in music or ballet, …getting everybody to work together to produce a beautiful piece of art…That’s our goal, that we always represent our tribe well, …and to keep getting our story out.”  Continue reading

Tulsa-based Orchestras Complement OK Mozart

By Glenda Rice Collins, For Greater Tulsa Reporter Newspapers,  Published: August 2016

Three well-established Oklahoma orchestras recently played a significant role in advancing Oklahoma’s premiere music festival, OK Mozart (OKM). during a pivotal year for the week-long event, June 11 – 18 at the Bartlesville Community Center.   Continue reading

From Menuhin to OK Mozart: Music as Therapy Prevails

By Glenda Rice Collins

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. USA — “Music creates order out of chaos,” said the quotable virtuoso violinist, conductor and humanitarian, Yehudi Menuhin (1916-1999), whose centenary is celebrated this year.

As Oklahoma’s premier music festival, OK Mozart, Opus 32 now celebrates a year of unprecedented transition under the leadership of  OKM executive director Randy Thompson — the man who for years embodied the spirit of Mozart himself through costumed portrayals of the musical genius. Continue reading