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About Leadership Arts

Offered every two years, Leadership Arts equips 30 individuals from throughout the state to become leaders and advocates for the arts in their communities. During four two-day sessions held in the spring, selected participants learn about the role of the arts in economic development, education, and quality of life. Participants attend the Oklahoma Arts Conference in the fall where they graduate from Leadership Arts during a special ceremony.

Leadership Arts Applications (2025)

Applications for the Leadership Arts XIII (2025) open September 15, 2024. Deadline to apply is November 1, 2024.

Click here to apply for Leadership Arts XIII

Leadership Arts Dates (2025)

Anticipated class dates are February 27-28; March 27-28; April 24-25; and May 29-30. Class session locations are TBD. Members graduate in October at the Oklahoma Arts Conference (date TBD).

Requirements

In order to graduate from the Leadership Arts program, class members must:

· Pay tuition in full by the published deadline (financial assistance may be available)
· Attend and participate in all four class sessions and the Oklahoma Arts Conference
· Complete all scheduled reading and homework assignments
· Engage in class discussion and group work
· Become an active advocate of the arts
· Assume responsibility for one's own travel, lodging, and meals at each Leadership Arts class session

How Much Does Leadership Arts Cost?

Tuition covers program costs, materials, and on-site transportation. Class members are responsible for paying for their own travel, lodging, and meals for the four spring class sessions. They are also responsible for paying to register for the Oklahoma Arts Conference and related conference travel, lodging, and meals. Businesses and organizations are often willing to pay all or some of the costs for employees or representatives of their organization to participate in Leadership Arts. Following is a breakdown of estimated expenses:

Tuition: $599
Travel, lodging, and meals: $1,000 ($250 per session)
Oklahoma Arts Conference registration: $129 in 2023 (subject to change for 2025)
Oklahoma Arts Conference travel, lodging, and meals: $400
Total estimated cost = $2,100

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance may be available for those in need of scholarship opportunities. A question in the Leadership Arts application will allow you to indicate your interest in seeking financial assistance.

Download a Letter of Support

An optional letter of support from the Oklahoma Arts Council is available for applicants to download and provide to employers. The optional letter can be used by applicants to request support for their participation in Leadership Arts from their employers or others. Download the letter of support.

How Leadership Arts is Structured

Leadership Arts is offered every two years. Applications are available in the fall. Thirty participants are selected to attend four two-day sessions held in the spring. Participants from communities throughout the state are selected. Participants are required to attend the Oklahoma Arts Conference in the fall to graduate from the program. Class sessions are devoted to hands-on learning, group work, panel discussions, and tours of community art spaces. Reading assignments are sent to participants prior to each meeting.

Who Can Benefit from Leadership Arts?

Oklahomans involved in arts and non-arts fields can benefit from participating in Leadership Arts. The program offers tools for individuals working in any field who have an interest in using the arts to improve their local communities and schools. Participants have included staff and board members of nonprofit organizations, artists, community developers, business leaders, tribal representatives, civic leaders, educators, community volunteers, and others.

What You Will Learn

Leadership Arts curriculum is designed for adult learners across cultural and educational backgrounds. Participants will learn why and how the arts make a significant contribution to Oklahoma's economy, how communities have developed arts programs and vibrant arts spaces to enhance quality of life, how the arts improve the image of cities and neighborhoods while serving as a centerpiece for community engagement, and how the arts cultivate creativity, attracting and retaining a creative workforce.

Sessions are interactive and will expand participants' understanding of group dynamics and the value of group work. Leadership Arts will help you better articulate and advocate for the arts in Oklahoma, design strategies for employing local assets for cultural development, work towards creative partnerships and consensus building, and teach you to mobilize your leadership capacity and the capacity of others.

Leadership Arts Graduates

Since Leadership Arts began in 2008, hundreds of Oklahomans from all parts of the state have graduated from the program and are now working to improve their communities through arts and culture. View graduates.

Questions?
For more information contact our Director of Community Arts and Workforce Programs.