OKLAHOMA CITY, May 30, 2024 – Arts Council Oklahoma City (ACOKC) is partnering with Oklahoma libraries and recreation centers to bring free arts programming to kids this summer.
Neighborhood Arts, a partnership between ACOKC and the Metropolitan Library System, brings free, daily performances to libraries across Oklahoma County. Nine groups, such as the Groovemeant Community, OKC Improv, Lyric Theatre, Lucas Ross, and the Oklahoma Violin Ensemble will perform at 19 locations. Throughout June and July, you can enjoy a variety of musical styles and performance arts, such as rock music, puppet shows, hip-hop demonstrations, and opera. Every week a new artist will be featured at each library, so kids can experience something new as they come back all summer long!
“The Metropolitan Library System is a staple in communities all across Oklahoma and we’re thankful to once again partner with them to bring free programming to kids of all ages,” said All Access Arts Director Nick Caudle. “Neighborhood Arts allows us to bring interactive art performances to children in every corner of Oklahoma County and truly embodies our mission of bringing the arts and the community together.”
Arts in the Park, a partnership between ACOKC and the Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department, brings free visual art classes to eight recreation centers across Oklahoma City. These classes are taught by professional teaching artists on a set schedule each week, taking place each Tuesday – Thursday in June and July. These free classes will allow kids to boost their creativity and hone skills like drawing, painting, working with clay, and more.
“The summer months are crucial for a child’s development and allowing them the opportunity to flex their creative muscles through the arts is instrumental for a well-rounded education,” said All Access Arts Coordinator Liliana Gordon. “With Arts in the Park, kids only need to travel as far as their local recreation center to participate in entertaining hands-on art classes to keep their minds sharp.”
Summer art programs and camps are often structured differently than traditional school classes, allowing more space for children to express themselves creatively while learning new concepts and developing skills that ultimately enhance learning in the classroom.
“We have wonderful partnerships with schools in Oklahoma City that allow us to offer Arts in Schools programs to kids throughout the school year, but summertime learning is a necessary aspect of a child’s growth,” said Arts Council OKC Executive Director Angela Cozby. “These programs are an outstanding opportunity to bridge the gap between school years, allowing kids to continue to grow and evolve while they’re away from the classroom.”
You can find the full schedule for Neighborhood Arts HERE.
You can find the full schedule for Arts in the Park HERE.
About Arts Council Oklahoma City
Arts Council Oklahoma City is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to bringing the arts and the community together through free or low-cost cultural events and various arts outreach activities that impact underserved populations. Each year, Arts Council OKC events, programs, and services reach nearly one million Oklahoma City residents and visitors. Our programs would not be possible without the support of our Presenting Sponsors: MidFirst Bank and Inasmuch Foundation, Official Sponsor: Devon Energy, and Associate Sponsors: Heartland, ICG, OG&E, M3t, Oklahoma City Thunder, The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City Farmers Market, OKC Parks and Recreation Department, Ozarka Water Company, Paycom, S&S Promotions, Republic National Distributing Company, Toucan Productions, and Tyler Media.
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