THE LATEST FIRST ALERT FORECAST. ALL RIGHT DAVID, THANKS SO MUCH. $10 MILLION GOING TOWARDS REVIVING OKLAHOMA ARTS. YEAH THOSE IN THE INDUSTRY SAY THIS IS A HISTORIC INVESTMENT KOCO IS ALEX JONES WAS THERE FOR THE CELEBRATION AT THE STATE CAPITOL AND HAS HOW THIS MONEY COULD TRANSFORM THE ARTS SCENE. A CELEBRATION A SUPPORTERS OF THE ARTS RALLIED TO ACCEPT $10 MILLION IN ARPA MONEY. THEY SAY CAN TRANSFORM THE ARTS INDUSTRY WHEN FACED WITH A CHALLENGE. THE ARTS DIG IN AND WE FIND A WAY TO TRIUMPH. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OKLAHOMA ARTS COUNCIL SAYS DURING THE PANDEMIC, FUNDING WAS LOST AND AS PEOPLE WERE SEPARATED, MANY ART FORMS SUFFERED. THIS MONEY IS RESTORATIVE TO HELP JUST MEND PART OF THE LOSS, BUT IT’S ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY OF A HISTORIC INVESTMENT SO THAT THESE ARTS NONPROFITS CAN PROVIDE PROGRAMING AND BRING BACK JOBS AND BRING BACK EXPANSION AND EXPERIENCES IN ARTS, EDUCATION AND ARTS ACCESS ALL OVER THE STATE. GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT ALSO THERE TO CELEBRATE AND RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF ART AND I BELIEVE CREATIVITY IS THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF OUR FREEDOMS. CREATIVE PEOPLE ARE DRAWN TO CREATIVE PLACES, SAYING THESE FUNDS, PLUS OKLAHOMA’S LONG LIST OF A-LIST ARTISTS, COULD JUMP THE STATE TO BE IN THE TOP TEN FOR ARTISTS, THIS WILL BE A HISTORIC INVESTMENT TO MAKE OKLAHOMA MORE COMPETITIVE FOR PEOPLE TO MOVE HERE, STAY HERE AND GET GREAT TALENT AND THAT THE FUNDS WILL HELP ALL ARTISTS, FROM MUSIC AND THEATER TO JEWELERS AND WELDERS. THIS HELPS EVERYTHING FROM SMALL TOWN AGRICULTURAL FESTIVALS THAT HAVE ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS THAT COME. THIS HELPS EXHIBITION VISIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR FILM AND VISUAL ARTS, MUSIC PROGRAMS AT SCHOOLS. THE ARTS COUNCIL SAYS NOW THEY HOPE OKLAHOMANS CONTINUE TO SHOW UP AND SUPPORT ALL FORMS OF ART REPORTING AT T
Multi-million dollar ARPA grant to revive Oklahoma arts
These funds plus Oklahoma’s long list of A-list artists could jump the state to be in the top 10 for artists
Updated: 1:23 PM CDT Apr 12, 2024
A multi-million dollar grant is going toward reviving Oklahoma arts as supporters accepted $10 million in ARPA money that they say could transform the state’s arts industry. The executive director of the Oklahoma Arts Council said during the pandemic, funding was lost. As people were separated, many art forms suffered.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.”This money is restorative to help just mend part of the loss, but it’s also an opportunity of a historic investment so that these arts nonprofits can provide programming and bring back jobs, bring back expansion, experiences and arts education, arts access all over the state,” said Amber Sharples, the executive director of Oklahoma Arts Council.Gov. Kevin Stitt was also there to celebrate and recognize the importance of art.”I believe creativity is the ultimate expression of our freedoms,” Stitt said. “Creative people are drawn to creative places.”These funds plus Oklahoma’s long list of A-list artists could jump the state to be in the top 10 for artists.”This will be a historic investment to make Oklahoma more competitive for people to move here, stay here and get great talent,” Sharples said.She said the funds will help all artists, from music to theatre to jewelers and welders. >> Download the KOCO 5 app “This helps everything from small town, agricultural festivals that have artists and musicians that come, this helps exhibitions and opportunities for film, visual arts, music, programs at schools,” Sharples said. The arts council said they hope Oklahomans continue to show up and support all forms of art. Top HeadlinesLaw enforcement investigates possible double homicide in northwestern Oklahoma town of FreedomOklahoma City Zoo Amphitheatre announces first round of concerts since upgradesOJ Simpson, one-time football legend acquitted of murder charges, dies at 76’I’m not giving up’: Maryland woman’s social media helps catch mom’s killerWitness’ tip led to discovery of body buried in Oklahoma City backyard, police say
A multi-million dollar grant is going toward reviving Oklahoma arts as supporters accepted $10 million in ARPA money that they say could transform the state’s arts industry.
The executive director of the Oklahoma Arts Council said during the pandemic, funding was lost. As people were separated, many art forms suffered.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
“This money is restorative to help just mend part of the loss, but it’s also an opportunity of a historic investment so that these arts nonprofits can provide programming and bring back jobs, bring back expansion, experiences and arts education, arts access all over the state,” said Amber Sharples, the executive director of Oklahoma Arts Council.
Gov. Kevin Stitt was also there to celebrate and recognize the importance of art.
“I believe creativity is the ultimate expression of our freedoms,” Stitt said. “Creative people are drawn to creative places.”
These funds plus Oklahoma’s long list of A-list artists could jump the state to be in the top 10 for artists.
“This will be a historic investment to make Oklahoma more competitive for people to move here, stay here and get great talent,” Sharples said.
She said the funds will help all artists, from music to theatre to jewelers and welders.
“This helps everything from small town, agricultural festivals that have artists and musicians that come, this helps exhibitions and opportunities for film, visual arts, music, programs at schools,” Sharples said.
The arts council said they hope Oklahomans continue to show up and support all forms of art.
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