Oai at Quartz Mountain

The Oklahoma summer Arts Institute (osai) is an intensive, two-week residential academy for serious, disciplined and motivated high school students ages 14 to 18. Every year, approximately 270 students are selected through a competitive, statewide audition process to study with nationally renowned artists in the fields of acting, creative writing, dance, orchestra, chorus, drawing and painting, photography, and film and video. The program's multi-disiplinary structure sets osai apart from other Arts programs in the nation. In addition to studying a chosen field for at least six hours a day, students are exposed to a rich variety of art forms and learning experiences. Students and faculty attend and participate in performances, faculty lectures, gallery openings, poetry readings, and recreational activities. The talent and creativity of students and faculty, combined with the mystique of the Quartz Mountain area in southwest Oklahoma, create a powerful synergy. Expected outcomes of osai include: 1) during the two weeks, students will focus intensively on their own artistic discipline while gaining a heightened awareness of and appreciation for other art forms; 2) small class sizes will ensure a true mentor relationship between students and world-renowned faculty artists with whom they would not otherwise have the chance to work; 3) students will develop connections that result in long-term friendships and a nationwide network; 4) students will show improved confidence after the program and a clearer understanding of the discipline required to succeed in their chosen art form; 5) students will become future audience members and supporters of the Arts, and they will gain an appreciation and understanding of all art forms; 6) by providing performances, lectures and demonstrations that are free and open to the public, osai will promote awareness of and interest in the Arts by all oklahomans, particularly those residing in southwest Oklahoma. Oai is committed to raising full scholarships for all osai students. Tour de Quartz is a statewide outreach program that serves local communites and the entire state by showcasing student artwork produced during osai. Tour de Quartz celebrates Oklahoma's artistic talent, raises awareness about Oai and its programs, and helps develop Arts audiences in many communities.

The Oklahoma fall Arts Institute (ofai) was established in 1983 in response to requests from educators across the state for continuing education of the same high caliber as osai. Ofai consists of a series of intense, "hands-on" weekend workshops in the literary, visual, and performing Arts for adults. In addition to providing Arts instruction for all ability levels, ofai is designed to offer resources for public school educators. Based on participant evaluations, it is estimated that the Arts Institute indirectly serves over 50,000 elementary, middle school, and high school students through their teachers' participation in ofai. Participants enhance their own artistic and professional skills and broaden their intellectual horizons, providing a wonderful resource for their students by enriching the classroom learning experience. Every year, approximatley 250 teachers and community artists attend ofai, including over 200 public school educators from 145 school sites statewide. Expected outcomes of ofai include: 1) participants will enhance their own artistic, intellectual, and professional skills and learn new techniques in their chosen field of study; 2) educators will return to their classrooms eager to share what they have learned with their students and peers, and they will become better educators, Arts advocates, and civic leaders within their communities; 3) educators will receive take-home curriculum materials that will help them to integrate new ideas into their daily classroom activities, thus providing additional Arts education opportunites for Oklahoma's k-12 students at a time in which Arts funding in the schools is suffering; 4) public educators will receive professional development credit for participating in ofai. Oai is committed to raising full scholarships for all public school educators who attend ofai.