Molly O'Connor

There’s a crisis underway in Oklahoma’s public schools. Even though House Bill 1017 requires art and music as core curriculum, these programs have disappeared from too many Oklahoma schools in communities both large and small.

This is nothing new, but that fact alone ensures that any attempt to reinstate these programs faces increasingly tough challenges. Today’s generation of parents were some of the first to miss out on art and music education, and therefore, are often unaware of the benefits of arts education and what their own children are missing out on.

Interestingly enough, several community leaders in Oklahoma continue to step up in efforts to pick up where the schools are falling short. Although, in most cases, it’s about so much more than providing an arts learning experience: It’s about providing hope.

With a thirty-year history of presenting modern dance in Oklahoma, Prairie Dance Theatre has developed new outreach programs for underserved youth and struggling Oklahoma City public schools. Artistic Director Tonya Kilburn is one of the instructors who has been instrumental in implementing dance into physical education programs in the public schools.

Tonya: “Bringing dance to children in OKC is both exciting and rewarding for me as an educator and as a concerned community member. I’ve always felt very fortunate that my chosen art form is so physical, and with Oklahoma rated as the seventh most obese state in the nation, I feel very connected to the solution.”

“Regardless of experience, skin tone, economic, or social status, gender, or appearance, the expectations are the same and all are encouraged to reach their full potential. I believe simple exposure to high expectations and the pursuit of excellence equips each child with the knowledge that the power is within them to positively contribute to their world. In small but significant ways, this can change their classroom and school experience, as well as, create a pathway to their homes and communities.”  

Developed in 2001 by Teri Mora of Guymon, Mexican Traditions cultural dance program has provided Hispanic youth with new opportunities and has been instrumental in uniting a community that is both diverse and isolated. The high school students learn traditional folkloric dances, which they present in festivals and competitions as far away as Alabama.

Teri: “For our Hispanic youth, this program instills in them pride in their ethnic roots and gives them a sense of accomplishment BECAUSE of who they are. This program has built so many bridges with our community. It contributes to positive change by allowing others to see the culture come alive through these young people and give them a sense of understanding about the Hispanic culture.”  

At the age of 33, emerging community leader and artist Matt Moffett launched Tulsa Girls Art School (TGAS) to fill a void in Tulsa, creating a safe environment where impoverished girls could develop into artists.

Founded in 2007, TGAS provides exceptional visual arts instruction for girls that are working to rise above challenges such as homelessness and poverty. In addition to fine-tuning their artistic techniques and individual styles, the girls learn important business skills including banking and communication.

Matt: “TGAS has a goal to completely equip our students with not only creative problem solving, but also to teach leadership and life skills that will establish our students as leaders in our community.”

These model programs are shining examples of how the arts have played an integral role in social change by improving the lives of Oklahoma youth.

I welcome reader comments, and invite you to share information about arts education programs that have transformed lives in your own communities.