VSA arts of Oklahoma

1136 Kings Way Avenue Yukon, Oklahoma 73099	Glen Henry Executive Director
Tel.: (405) 202-4872	vsaok@aol.com

Organizational Profile:

Full-time Staff: 1
Part-time Staff: 0
Volunteer Hours: 25 hours/month
Projected Total 2008
Income: $120,730
(including In-Kind Contributions)
Direct Participants: 1,270
Indirect Participants: 1,105

With the belief that the arts are essential for quality of life and should be accessible to all individuals, VSA arts of Oklahoma's mission is to establish appropriate year-round arts programming for individuals with disabilities in Oklahoma. VSA arts of Oklahoma is working to establish professional training for teachers, artists, and community representatives to assist with the 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. The VSA arts of Oklahoma office is located in Yukon.

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

State Programs

Educational Programs and Artist Residencies

Creative Expressions

Creative Expressions is a six-week summer art program that takes place during the months of June and July each year for children ages five through thirteen. The VSA arts of Oklahoma early childhood curriculum is implemented in this program. This year, Cameron University Art Department chair, Edna McMillan, conducted a formal outcomes-based evaluation. A follow-up conference with the Oklahoma Art Education Association was held at Cameron University in October 2005. Over 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, Norman and Tulsa participated in this VSA arts of Oklahoma-sponsored program in 2005. 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 introduces children with disabilities to the excitement of the life of the cowboy on the Chisholm Trail. After-school activities will include 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 and Cameron University to provide professional development workshops throughout Oklahoma that bring arts education leaders and educators together to identify arts education needs and provide professional development for educators.

Public Awareness and Outreach

Native American Children’s Festivals

VSA arts of Oklahoma has hosted three National Native American Special Arts Festivals in Oklahoma City. In the summer of 2006 VSA arts of Oklahoma will collaborate with the University of Central Oklahoma to offer a conference focusing on the “Native American Learner.”

VSA Senior Citizens Program

The VSA arts of Oklahoma Senior Citizen Program was created because of the positive response from Senior Citizens Centers in Lawton, Oklahoma City and Yukon. VSA arts of Oklahoma will work with the residents of nursing homes in Lawton, highlighting the memories of the senior citizens through the visual arts. VSA arts of Oklahoma also collaborates with Oklahoma Arts Council touring musician Michael Kern, utilizing music to evoke the nostalgic memories of senior citizens.”