VSA arts of Oklahoma
|
1136 Kings Way Avenue |
Glen Henry |
|
Tel.: (405) 202-4872 |
Organizational Profile:
|
Full-time Staff: 1 |
VSA arts of Oklahoma’s mission is to establish appropriate year-round arts programming that addresses all art forms for individuals with or without special needs in Oklahoma. VSA arts of Oklahoma is working to establish professional training for teachers, artists, and community representatives to assist with its year-round programming. VSA arts of Oklahoma was established in 1990 with assistance from the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the Oklahoma Arts Council to serve the needs of individuals with disabilities through the arts.
Programming Partners and Other Funders:
Oklahoma Department of Human Services; Cameron University; University of Central Oklahoma Chisholm Trail Heritage Center; Oklahoma Alliance for Arts Education; Oklahoma Art Education Association; Putnam City Public Schools; Tulsa Public Schools F.O.R. Blues, Inc.
Educational Programs and Artist Residencies
Creative Expressions
Creative Expressions is an eight-week summer art program that takes place each year during the months of June and July for children ages 5–13. The VSA arts of Oklahoma early childhood curriculum is implemented in this program. This year, Edna McMillan, Cameron University Art Department chair, conducted a formal outcomes-based evaluation. A follow-up conference with the Oklahoma Art Education Association was held at Southwestern State University in October 2005. More than 100 art teachers from school districts throughout Oklahoma attended.
Arts for All
Arts for All is an adaptive arts program created specifically to support arts instruction for children with disabilities. Children with developmental disabilities from Oklahoma City and Lawton metropolitan areas participated in this VSA arts of Oklahoma–sponsored program in FY 2006. The Arts for All program includes activities designed to increase participation in the arts by individuals with disabilities, improving each participant’s quality of life.
Chisholm Trail Experience
VSA arts of Oklahoma is collaborating with the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center to implement the Chisholm Trail Experience program from October 2005 through May 2006. This year’s experience introduced children with disabilities to the exciting life of the cowboy on the Chisholm Trail. After-school activities included hands-on workshops in visual arts and music.
Professional Development and Technical Assistance
VSA arts of Oklahoma Professional
Development Workshops
VSA arts of Oklahoma works closely with the Oklahoma Alliance for Arts Education, the Oklahoma Art Education Association, Cameron University, and the University Of Central Oklahoma to provide professional development workshops that bring arts education leaders and professional educators together to identify their arts education needs.
Dusk ‘til Dawn Blues Festival
In 2007, more than 5,000 people attended the annual Dusk ‘til Dawn Blues Festival in Rentiesville. VSA arts of Oklahoma cosponsored this Labor Day weekend event. You can't go to Rentiesville without hearing about the remarkable lives of two of its most prominent sons: John Hope Franklin, a renowned scholar, and D.C. Minner, an accomplished bluesman. Franklin, 91, has written more than a dozen books and is considered a preeminent authority on black history. Minner and his wife, Selby, are the hosts of the annual Dusk ‘til Dawn festival.
(F) 202-429-0868