Mission Statement:
This Council shall enrich the Norman community by stimulating artistic, cultural and economic growth through the support and promotion of an accessible arts community.
History of Norman Arts:
The Norman Arts Council (NAC) was founded in 1976 to enrich the Norman community by stimulating artistic, cultural, and economic growth through the support and promotion of the arts. At its inception, the NAC became the face and voice of arts advocacy in Norman. Since then, the NAC has continued to uphold its mission through a variety of programs and initiatives. Early on, the Arts and Humanities Roundtable, was formed. This network of 501 (c) 3 arts and cultural organizations in Norman allows for dialogue and collaboration between all involved for the purpose of continuing our community’s growth as an arts destination.
Original Board of Directors
Checorski, Bob
Eek, Nat
Kienlan, Dottie
Dramer, Gary
Droescher, George
Binkley, Ellen
Olkinetzky, Sam
Parman, Frank
Scanlan, LaVonne
Thurston, Margaret
Orth, Evelyn
Vogt, Pat Wetherill
Weinheime, Kathryn
Waldhauer, Betty
Henderson, Dortha
One of the first major projects of the new Council was to explore ways to acquire and restore the Sooner Theatre as a community performing arts center. Subsequently, a new non-profit organization was formed for the project.
In 1978, the first paid Director (part-time) was secured using CETA funds (Comprehensive Employment and Training Act) and the office was in shared space at the Cleveland County Historical Society’s Museum. Next, the office was in shared space at the Sooner Theatre. Since 1978, the Norman Arts and Humanities Council, now known as Norman Arts Council, has had thirteen Directors:
After leaving the Sooner Theatre, the NAC office has been maintained at:
215 East Main St.
Brookhaven Village
Two locations on Campus Corner
Sarkeys Incubator Annex
220 East Main St.
210 East Main St.
MAINSITE Contemporary Art: Home of the Norman Arts Council, 122 East Main Street, Walker Arts District (2011 – Current)
The NAC can look with pride at its accomplishments through the years. Although the philosophies of the Council have undergone changes, the core mission has never wavered. There have been creative and innovative programs and activities inaugurated. A partial list of these includes:
Photography exhibitions/competitions which were held annually or biennially
Summer in the Park (later named Art in the Park) – series of performances and art shows in Andrews Park over several years
Sponsoring several performances of the Southwest Jazz ensemble – these led to the coalition with Cimarron Opera Company (then known as Church Circuit Opera Company) which became the basis for the formation of Jazz in June
Picture Lady – a program of trained docents visiting first grade classrooms with a series of prints depicting art masterworks
Support and participate in MayFair, Medieval Fair, Campus Corner Arts Festivals, and Art in the Park
Poetry readings, writing workshops, artist-in-residence programs with NPS
Assorted performances of recognized artists, such as The American Spirit Dance Company, Phillip Glass in Concert, Oklahoma City Symphony, Norman Music Festival, etc.
Presentation of annual awards to individuals, business and other non-profits for outstanding service to the arts in Norman.
Using funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, local groups received additional grants and the NAC produced CityArts Week, a comprehensive ten day event featuring a concentration of arts and humanities events. This event continued for eleven years.
Two viewings of the Art Train traveling exhibit
Funded “Welcome to Norman” signage and partially funded several public art pieces in Norman.
Winterfest, Art Walks, and 2nd Friday
Historically, funding for the NAC has come from the Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, individual annual contributions, corporate sponsors, fund-raising events, and the Norman Transient Guest Room Tax. It is interesting to note that in 1981 (the first year of the Hotel Tax), the entire budget was $30,848 (including the Director's salary of $12,500).
In 1981, the NAC, along with the Chamber of Commerce and other civic leaders, campaigned for the successful passage of the Norman Transient Guest Room Tax. Norman, to date, is the only city in Oklahoma with a guest room tax, with portions of the tax going to convention/tourism, the parks department, and the arts. Each year, the NAC uses the arts portion to sponsor festivals, programs, workshops, and arts education activities that grow as the community expands through it grants program. The NAC granted $12,125 to arts organizations in the first year, and the funds have grown consistently since then. In FY25, the NAC is awarding over $535,500 for a total of over $5.4 million in grants since the hotel tax was passed.
Among the NAC’s historic contributions is the co-founding and continued support of the popular Jazz in June, which has attracted nationally known acts such as Ellis Marsalis and T.S. Monk III. In 2008 the NAC created the Norman Music Festival, a multi-genre music festival that has grown into a three-day event featuring over 150 bands nationwide each year. Event attendance has grown by the tens of thousands. In 2012 NMF became its own 501(c)3 and the Norman Music Alliance was formed. Artists like Portugal. The Man, Tune-Yards, of Montreal, Dirty Projectors, Ty Segall, Omar Apollo, Parquet Courts and Japanese Breakfast have performed at the festival over the years.
In 2009, the NAC and the City of Norman created the Norman Public Arts Board to create exciting, appealing, and harmonious public spaces by integrating art into the public places in Norman. The PAB unveiled its first completed project in September of 2010, the stunning metal work Indian Grass by Taos, New Mexico artists Juan and Patricia Navarrete. This phenomenal public artwork is located in the East Main Street roundabout. Since then, Public Art in Norman has continued to grow and currently oversees the care of a public art collection of over 130 works.
Also, in 2009, the NAC began the 2nd Friday Art Walk. This monthly celebration of art is a collaboration between artists, arts organizations, and businesses. Every 2nd Friday is different, and regular participants include many local businesses hosting artists and performances throughout the downtown area. It has grown to over 50 artist vendors, artisan vendors, and street performers each month.
In 2011, the NAC moved its headquarters to MAINSITE Contemporary Art on Main Street and took over the programming of the gallery, creating a community arts destination and the hub of the Arts District. Over the years, the NAC has curated exhibits featuring local, regional, national, and international artists in the space as well as opening its doors to poetry readings, live music of all genres, film screenings, and various other arts and arts educational offerings.
In 2013, Norman made its support of the arts and Norman Arts Council clear with a vote to increase the hotel/motel tax and subsequently making more funds available to the dozens of art events and organizations Norman Arts Council supports.
In 2015, the NAC launched Cultural Connections. This internationally recognized series promotes the exchange of ideas, art, and culture and opens a worldwide dialogue between the City of Norman and our Sister Cities: Arezzo, Itlay; Clermont-Ferrand, France; Colima, Mexico; and Seika, Japan.
In 2016, the NAC and the City of Norman created The Walker Arts District in Downtown Norman in memory of Larry Walker, a long-time NAC Board member and arts advocate.
Also, in 2016, the City of Norman contracted with the Norman Arts Council to administer 1% of Art for designated Norman Forward projects for over $1.5 million in investment for public art projects. Nine Norman Forward art projects are across the community: Splash at the Westwood Aquatic Center, Prairie Wind at the East Branch Library, Unbound at the Central Branch Library, Triptych at Ruby Grant Park, Elevate the Game at the Young Family Athletic Center, Flower at the Adult Wellness Center, Revolutions in the Flood Avenue and James Garner roundabout, WindRose in Griffin Park, In Their Words in Andrews Park, and Mechan 14 in Reaves Park.
In 2023, Norman voters again voted to increase the hotel/motel tax, further expanding funding support for Norman Arts Council and the organizations, events and artists it supports.
Over the years, the NAC has had thirteen executive directors. Since 2010, Erinn Gavaghan has served in that role. Erinn is an art historian and has worked in nonprofit arts administration for 20 years. Erinn received her MA in Art History from Webster University in St. Louis and her PhD in Art History at the University of Oklahoma. After over fourteen years of service to the NAC, Erinn announced her departure to move to Oregon to be closer to family.
In 2024, Leslie Nottingham became the Executive Director. Leslie, a native of Kansas City, brings vast knowledge and experience in performing arts, visual arts, and public art. She received her BFA in Theatre from the California Institute of the Arts and her MA from the Corcoran College of Art and Design.
