Share Your Artistic Insight by Applying to Lead 2019 Undercover Artist Workshop

Everyone has an artist lurking within. Undercover Artists is a series of art workshops — led by some of Norman's finest artists — debuting in 2017 that celebrates the creativity of amateurs and practiced artists, alike. The workshops, inviting all skill levels and a variety of ages, are equal parts fun and informative, a collaborative community experience that will let that inner artist come to the forefront for a spell (or maybe unleash a new, long love affair).

The NAC is seeking artists to lead these workshops! If you are an artist in Oklahoma and iterested, please submit an application by December 19, 2018 at 11:59pm!

We will select four artist-lead workshops for the 2019 calendar year. Selected artists will receive a $250 honorarium.

The Line Between Reality and Imaginary is Muddied in Norman Artist’s Solo Exhibition

Norman artist Jason Cytacki invites visitors to his new exhibition Reruns to remember moments that never even happened. 

Paintings of everyday Midwestern scenes and sculptural works that serve as models for said paintings will bring a rush of familiarity twisted by the fact that these exposed, not quite finished vignettes of a typical Midwestern existence are only vague recreations of fuzzy memories, a sort of modern take on “crumbling wonders of classical ruins.”

Reruns opens Friday, December 14 at MAINSITE Contemporary Art, 122 E. Main, Norman and runs through Friday, January 11.  

The exhibition will be celebrated with an opening reception from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, December 14 with a closing reception scheduled for 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, January 11. Both receptions occur in conjunction with the free 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk — presented by Norman Arts Council — that takes place monthly in the Walker Arts District of Downtown Norman.  

Cytacki is an Associate Professor of Painting at the University of Oklahoma. Cytacki earned MFA from the University of Notre Dame in 2011 and now lives and works in Norman. His work examines the underlying framework that mediates the values, meanings and symbols of the world we inhabit. 

“Using specifically mundane imagery, each painting presents a common experience, evoking a sense of ambiguous but relatable familiarity,” Cytacki said in his artist statement. “However, each image actually depicts a hand-built miniature set, these familiar moments never really existed. The illusion dissolves upon closer inspection when visible details such as the corrugation of the cardboard and tape become apparent, suggesting fragility and artifice.”

MAINSITE Contemporary Art is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Both daily gallery hours and receptions are free and open to the public.

Norman Arts Council Seeking Gallery Assistant Interns

The Norman Arts Council is seeking 2 interns for the position of Gallery Assistant. Approximately 10 hours per week for each internship spread over weekdays, Saturdays, and some evening events. 

If you are an art or art history major, junior or senior, you may earn up to 3 credit hours towards your degree with final approval by the Director of the OU School of Visual Arts. 

The Gallery Assistant will have the opportunity to work with all NAC staff on various projects including, but not limited to: exhibition installation, special events, marketing, and other admin duties. This internship is ideal for a student majoring in the arts, but it is not a requirement.  

Specific Duties:

• Assist the staff with administrative tasks

• Greet guests of the gallery and provide information on artists and exhibits as requested.

• Assist in the planning and facilitation of events.

• Assist in the installation and de-installation of gallery exhibits.

• Perform other tasks as determined by the Executive Director or the Associate Director.

• Assist in the care and upkeep of the gallery before, during, and after exhibitions.

• Keep up-to-date on the other art organizations in Norman and their primary contacts.

• Assist with 2ndFriday Art Walks – prep, work event, clean-up.

• Maintain Saturday gallery hours.

• Be available for evening and weekend events as necessary and agreed upon.

Submit letter of interest and resume to:
Erinn Gavaghan
Norman Arts Council Executive Director
OU School of Visual Arts PhD Student 
erinn@normanarts.org

Deadline to apply: Friday, December 7, 2018

Norman Arts Council Accepting Spring 2019 Arts Education Scholarship Applications

Scholarship Program Mission:  The Norman Arts Council Arts Education Scholarships are intended to provide Norman children with the opportunity to attend arts programming that is offered outside of schools.  

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

For SPRING 2019 Programs – Monday, November 26, 2018 @ 11:59pm CST

Note: Please read application guidelines thoroughly to ensure timely completion of all requirements!

APPLY HERE

ELIGIBILITY: The Norman Arts Council invites students in grades K-8 who live or go to school in Norman, Oklahoma to apply for a scholarship to offset the cost of an arts education experience provided by an established arts organization or educator.

APPLICATIONS: The NAC has recently restructured their scholarship criteria, so there is new information. Only Applications submitted through the on-line process will be considered for funding. Applications must be 100% completed for consideration. "I don't know" or "unsure" answers will deem an incomplete application.

SELECTION CRITERIA:  The NAC is seeking applications for scholarships from students who:

• express a strong desire to enhance their arts education experience beyond what is offered at schools

• demonstrate a past commitment to visual or performing arts

• have the ability to commit to the completion of the program

• have a financial need that prevents them from funding the tuition themselves

• priority will be given to new applicants, low income applicants, and applicants seeking funds for visual arts programs

• $500 is the maximum award a single student will be granted

• Applications must be 100% completed

Applicants will not be turned down for not meeting all of the criteria. It is encouraged, however, to try to meet as many as possible and to address the criteria directly in the proposal.

AWARDS:  Award notification will be by email. Due to limited funds, applicants may not receive the full funding requested and/or may not receive any funding at this time.

DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS:  Upon award notification and receipt of agreement, the Norman Arts Council will give the awarded funds directly to the organization or individual implementing the program applied for on behalf of the student. Should the program be cancelled for any reason by the organization or individual implementing, the funds will be returned to the Norman Arts Council’s scholarship program and may be applied for during the next cycle.

COMMITMENT TO PROGRAM:  Upon award notification, the student’s parent or legal guardian will receive an agreement that states they will commit to ensuring the student’s regular attendance to the program. If the student fails to attend at least 75% of the program, the student will be asked to withdraw; any remaining funds will be returned to the Norman Arts Council’s scholarship program; and the student will not be eligible in the future.

AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS:  The total amount of scholarship funds available may be awarded to one applicant or divided among multiple applicants. The Norman Arts Council reserves the right to not award any scholarships should there be a lack of qualified candidates or shortage of scholarship funds.

LIABILITY:  Award recipients and their guardians agree to indemnify and hold harmless the NAC, its employees, its agents, and its Board of Directors, in connection with any action, claim, lawsuit, charge, or proceeding, including but not limited to any civil action in State or Federal Court, or before any State or Federal agency, which is made or brought against recipients, NAC, and/or any of NAC's employees, agents, or board members, by any person or entity, based upon and/or arising out of a recipient's use of the funds.

APPEALS:  Any applicant who is denied a scholarship in whole or in part may only appeal directly to the NAC Education Committee on the following grounds: 1) discrimination against the applicant or its membership on the basis of: race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability, which is shown to have materially and adversely affected the outcome of their application; 2) illegal activity on the part of the Education Committee or a member of the Education Committee, which is shown to have materially and adversely affected the outcome of their application. 

Norman Arts Council Works to Better Serve Artists Affected by Art Walk Changes

Norman Arts Council introduced changes to the 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk in October and is evolving them to continue to best serve participating artists, performers and 2nd Friday audiences while also keeping the continually growing event safe, accessible and fun for everyone.  

Norman Arts Council created a designated Arts Vendor Area south of the intersection of Main and Jones for the October 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk. That Arts Vendor Area will be moved to south of the intersection of Main and Peters beginning in November to locate the talented artists, vendors, crafters and makers more centrally in the Art Walk footprint.  

Vendors had previously setup on sidewalks throughout downtown Norman during Art Walk, but increased attendance and prevalence of vendors created safety and accessibility concerns. 

Interested arts vendors — selling handmade goods — can apply monthly to be a vendor by the 1st Friday of the month by visiting 2ndFridayNorman.com and submitting an application with a $30 vendor fee. Late applications will be accepted after the 1st Friday with a $100 fee.

October also introduced changes regarding street performers. Live music in the air adds to what makes 2nd Friday so vibrant, but to ensure that each musician is given their chance to shine without conflicting noise, Norman Arts Council asked that street performers apply for a permit with a $20 fee to setup in assigned locations. The fee associated with the permit has been waived, but NAC still requests that interested entertainers apply to perform by the first Friday of the month at 2ndFridayNorman.com to get an assigned spot. 

Changes concerning the serving of alcoholic beverages at select participating locations are a matter of state law, and those changes will remain in place in accordance with those laws.