Norman Arts Accepting Arts Education Scholarships for Winter 2024!

Winter 2024 Arts Education Scholarships
Due 11:59 p.m. Friday, December 1, 2023

ANY NORMAN STUDENT (GRADES K-12) IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY
LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE!

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. 

Applicants may use funding — up to $500 — for any arts education program of their choosing beyond what local schools are able to provide, including but not limited to visual art instruction, music lessons, vocal and theater coaching and more.

Applications are available on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 and are due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, December 1, 2023!

Priority is given to low income applicants and families facing a hardship, but any student (grades K-12) who lives or attends school in Norman is eligible to apply.

The NAC is seeking applications for scholarships from students who:

• express a strong desire to enhance their arts education experience beyond what is offered in schools, demonstrates a past commitment to visual or performing arts, or a student that a parent, guardian or teacher deems the child could benefit from an arts experience

• 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 low income applicants or families facing a hardship

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

• Applications must be 100% completed

Norman Arts Council Seeks New Executive Director, Applications Due by November 30, 2023

With longtime Executive Director Erinn Gavaghan departing Norman Arts Council to relocate closer to family in the Pacific Northwest, the organization is seeking qualified candidates to lead the organization beginning in 2024.

Candidates should have a passion for the arts, strong leadership background, support a collaborative work environment, responsibly manage resources and be a forward thinker to guide the organization into a vibrant, future.

Salary range is $70,000-$75,000 with benefits including healthcare, generous PTO, flexible scheduling and more. Applications — including resume, cover letter addressing your qualifications and how they align with the Norman Arts Council's mission and goals, and three professional references by November 30, 2023 to Janetta Cravens at jcravens@cospireconsulting.com. Learn more below.

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Full job description:

Job Title: Executive Director
Organization: Norman Arts Council
Location: Norman, Oklahoma

Overview

The Norman Arts Council is a dynamic and influential organization dedicated to fostering the growth and vitality of the arts community in the region. We provide crucial support and leadership to numerous arts organizations, maintain a vibrant community art space, and serve as a model of excellence for state and regional arts groups. We are seeking an exceptional Executive Director who can champion the arts, collaborate effectively with the Board of Directors, staff, artists, and community leaders, and drive innovation and growth within the organization.

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors. The position also manages 3-4 staff members, coordinates various contractors, and oversees the activities of key volunteers and interns.

Key Functions

1). Leadership and Advocacy:

• With the Board of Directors, provide visionary leadership for the Norman Arts Council, setting strategic goals and priorities that advance the arts in the community.

• Act as a passionate and articulate advocate for the arts, both within the organization and in the broader community, including the Arts Roundtable.

• Work with the board to create and implement strategies that support the Council's mission, and serve as a link between the board and its committees for goal-setting.

2). Staff Management and Development:

• Manage and mentor a dedicated team of 3-4 staff members, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and professional growth.

• Oversee recruitment, training, and performance evaluations to ensure a high-performing team.

• Lead by example, promoting self-control, continuous learning, and creating an atmosphere where employees feel respected and free to share their thoughts without worry about criticism.

3). Community Engagement and Partnerships:

• Foster strong relationships with artists, arts organizations, and community leaders, promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and collaboration and synergy within the arts community.

• Develop and nurture partnerships with local businesses, government agencies, city council, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions to enhance the arts ecosystem in Norman.

4). Financial Management:

• Work with the board and staff to develop and manage the organization's budget, ensuring financial sustainability and responsible resource allocation.

• Identify and pursue funding opportunities, including grants, sponsorships, and donations, to support the Council's programs and initiatives.

• Oversee the various funding sources and contracts with the City of Norman.

5). Arts Space Management:

• Oversee the maintenance and operations of the community art space, ensuring it remains a vibrant and welcoming hub for artists and the public.

• Plan, curate, and coordinate exhibitions, events, and programs that showcase local and regional artistic talent.

6). Strategic Planning and Innovation:

• Lead the development and implementation of strategic plans that position the Norman Arts Council as a forward-thinking and innovative arts leader.

• Continuously seek opportunities for growth, adaptability, and program expansion while maintaining the organization's core values and mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in arts administration, nonprofit management, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.

• 3-5 years proven leadership experience in the arts or nonprofit sector, and supervisor experience preferred.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

• Excellent communication and advocacy skills, both written and verbal.

• Financial acumen with experience in budgeting and fundraising.

• Innovative and forward-thinking mindset.

• Demonstrated commitment to fostering the arts and building community relationships.

• Preference given to candidates willing to relocate to Norman.

Salary Range: $70,000 - $75,000

Benefits Package

• Health Insurance

• Retirement Plan

• Generous Paid Time Off

• Cell Phone Reimbursement

• Flexible Work Scheduling

• Supportive Work Environment

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Resume

• Cover Letter addressing your qualifications and how they align with the Norman Arts Council's mission and goals.

• Three professional references

Application Deadline

Please submit your resume, a cover letter, and three professional references by November 30, 2023 to jcravens@cospireconsulting.com. In your cover letter, please address your qualifications and how they align with the Norman Arts Council's mission and goals.

The Norman Arts Council is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to join our team and help us further our mission of supporting and promoting the arts in our community.

Please direct any questions to: jcravens@cospireconsulting.com

Oklahoma StoryWorks Announces YourStory Workshops

Oklahoma StoryWorks, formerly NAMRON Players Theatre, announces its annual educational workshop for secondary school students, the YourStory Workshops, to be held over two weekends on October 28 and November 4, both Saturday afternoons, at Norman Library Central.

The workshops offered this year are designed for young theatre artists to sharpen their skills in both Acting and Improvisation. The teaching artists for the workshops will be Ms. Sue Ellen Reiman, Improvisation, and Ms. Lia Ryan, Acting. Workshop participants, ages 12-17, will receive instruction in the following:

Saturday, October 28, 3-5pm, “Acting I” taught by Lia Ryan.

Saturday, November 4, 1-3pm, “Acting II ” taught by Lia Ryan
3-5 pm, “Improv” taught by Sue Ellen Reiman

The YourStory Workshops are offered free of charge, thanks to an underwriting grant from Allied Arts Educational Outreach. Participants must register online at the NAMRON Players website: www.namronplayerstheatre.org. Workshop sizes are limited to 12 participants each.

“We offer the YourStory Workshops each year to encourage the young theatre enthusiasts of our community to explore and develop their creativity.” Oklahoma StoryWorks Artistic / Executive Director, Sheryl Martin.

Sue Ellen Reiman is one of the most experienced professional actors in Oklahoma and the Managing Director of Oklahoma Improv. Her acting credits include work with Okahoma Shakespeare, the Pollard, Carpenter Square, 2x4 Productions, Oklahoma Children’s Theatre and the former Street Players Theatre, to name but a few.

Lia Ryan grew up in a theatrical family on the East Coast and since coming to Oklahoma in 2010 has developed a well deserved reputation as an actress, teacher and filmmaker. She has written, acted in and produced multiple film projects. Currently, she works as a middle school drama teacher and runs a small film production company, Two Pups Pictures, with her husband, Colin.

The YourStory Workshops is underwritten by a grant from the Allied Arts Educational Outreach grant program. Oklahoma StoryWorks is underwritten by grants from the Norman Arts Council, the Oklahoma Arts Council Arts Experience program, the Chickasaw Nation, the Kirkpatrick Foundation, and the Schwartz Family Foundation.

Community Input Needed for Public Art Project Coming to Reaves Park

Image of one of Tyler FuQua’s recent Mechans seen at this year’s Burning Man

The Norman Arts Council and the City of Norman have commissioned Tyler FuQua Creations to design and install one of their world-famous Mechan Robots in Reaves Park as part of Norman Forward. Norman’s Robot will be a baseball player AND a Medieval knight (depending on the season). FuQua is seeking community input on a few finishing details of the robot to help make it singular and special to Norman and a point of pride for those who call it home.

There are two different opportunities, one is only for Norman High School students, and the other for anyone. Submissions for both are due by 11:59 p.m. Friday, October 20.

Early renderings of Norman’s Mechan Robot

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MECHAN ROBOT NUMBER SUBMISSIONS
OPEN TO EVERYONE
DUE 11:59 p.m. Friday, October 20

Details from Tyler:
Tyler FuQua of Tyler FuQua Creations here and we need your help with the naming (or maybe I should say numbering?) of the new giant Mechan robot for Reaves Park. 

See, all of our robots have a number and we would like the people of Norman to come up with a number that you feel best represents your city.  How you choose this is up to you and the only limitations are that it can’t be more than 3 numbers and it can’t be the following (they are already taken: 1, 8, 9, X or 10, 11, 42, 1000, and H2O.)  

Once decided, the number will go on the back of this robot’s back forever.  It will forever be known as MECHAN ____.  Help us fill in the blank! 

Please submit your number suggestion and briefly describe what the number means.

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Mechan Heart Chamber Design
Open to Norman high school students only
DUE 11:59 p.m. Friday, October 20

A letter from FuQua:

Hello, High School Students of Norman!

I am Tyler FuQua of a small art company in Eagle Creek, OR called Tyler FuQua Creations and we will be creating a giant robot for Reaves Park in Norman.  We are super excited to be doing this and we are well underway in the construction of this Mechan (all of our robots are from the fictional robot company, Mechan Inc.) 
All of our robots have something original and very special - a heart chamber.  Each one is unique and helps symbolize what that particular robot is all about.  This is where you come in!   
We would like you to create/draw/sketch a 2D heart chamber design that represents Norman and Reaves Park.  

This robot will mostly be a baseball-playing robot, but it will be a robot knight to represent the Medieval Fair for a time during the year.  

The heart chamber doesn’t necessarily have to represent either of these two things - or maybe you want it to represent both! It’s up to you.  

We ask that you incorporate a mirrored or reflective surface somewhere.  

Get creative!  You can just draw something artsy or get technical with what materials you think it should be made of.  Once the designs are submitted, a small committee will select the one we think is the best option (both in design, representation, and feasibility.) We will then transform the 2D drawing into a 3D representation and it will live forever in the chest of this giant metal robot.   

The chamber will be in the shape of an upside-down triangle with the corners cut off.  It will be about 6” deep, 25” wide and 27” tall (see attached sketch.)  

Greatest Athlete of All-Time Highlighted in Art Exhibition Opening at MAINSITE

Breaking Barriers: The Jim Thorpe Collection
October 13 through November 11, 2023
Opening Reception: 6-9 p.m. Friday, October 13
Closing Reception: 6-9 p.m. Friday, November 10
MAINSITE Contemporary Art | 122 E. Main, Norman
Open 10a-4p Tuesday through Saturday

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It’s fitting that in Norman — a city equally celebrated for its Sooner athletics and creative community — we see those respective worlds collide in Breaking Barriers: The Jim Thorpe Collection.

The exhibition is the brainchild of Norman-based artist Steve Hare and features the work of Hare, Norman printmaker and artist Ginna Dowling, metal work by Corbin Leonard and artwork created by Norman High School students under the instruction of NHS art teacher Tauri Simms. It runs at MAINSITE from Friday, October 13 through Saturday, November 11, with an opening reception set for 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, October 13 as a part of the 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk.

The body of work represents intersections of a lifetime’s worth of experiences from Hare, who has gone from a volunteer at the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame to a member of the Executive Council, a member of the selection committee for the Jim Thorpe Award and the prestigious opportunity to paint the recipient each year.

“Art encourages memory and discovery. It allows us to re-connect with what may have been lost or to connect with what may not have been found,” Hare said in his artist statement. “It was my father that first introduced me to Jim Thorpe, a real-life superhero that I would first capture in my 4th grade Oklahoma history project unaware that our paths would one day cross again.”

Breaking Barriers celebrates the seminal Oklahoma figure who played both professional football and baseball, was the first Native American to win a gold medal for the United States in the Olympics and is considered to be one of the greatest athletes of all-time.

“The pieces in this show represent a relentless pursuit of knowledge over this past year, of trying to capture the spirit of Jim Thorpe through my eyes,” Hare said. “Jim Thorpe has been a symbol of strength and determination for generations. A shadow in history that teaches us lessons in humility, determination, and hope against all odds.”

MAINSITE Contemporary Art is located at 122 E. Main, Norman and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday each week.

Steve Hare (center) and Justin Lenhart — Curator of the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (far left) — with Norman High students

More about Steve Hare

Norman-based artist Steve Hare works primarily in acrylics across multiple techniques. He chooses various sizes of dry wall taping knives over traditional brushes as his primary instruments of choice. Through creative color mixing, Steve employs bold color combinations on canvas when creating his abstract bases.

A sports enthusiast personally and professionally, Steve blended his artistic skills with his experiences and connections, bringing about a perfect marriage of his two passions.

Steve’s evolution into representational abstract allowed him to introduce another element to this union and extend the range of his talents even further. His use of subjects such as Jim Thorpe allow Steve to challenge the boundaries of sports art – utilizing his technique to tell stories, which explore the depths of movement and composition.

Steve also explores two additional techniques within this exhibit, text art and pen/ink illustrations. Words are powerful tools. This series of text is aimed at the words, phrases, and quotes that shaped Jim Thorpe’s path. The Breaking Barriers suite of black and white illustrations capture Jim Thorpe in the simplest form, personally and professionally.