VSA arts of Oklahoma

1136 Kings Way Avenue Yukon, OK 73099	Glen Henry Executive Director
Tel.: (405) 350-1603	vsaok@aol.com

Organizational Profile:

Full-time Staff: 1
Part-time Staff: 0
Volunteer Hours: 25 hours/month
Projected Total 2009
Income: $132,140
(including In-Kind Contributions)
Direct Participants: 1,335
Indirect Participants: 2,910

VSA arts of Oklahoma’s mission is to establish appropriate year-round arts programming that addresses all art forms for individuals with or without special needs in Oklahoma. VSA arts of Oklahoma is working to establish professional training for teachers, artists, and community representatives to assist with its year-round programming. VSA arts of Oklahoma was established in 1990 with assistance from the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the Oklahoma Arts Council to serve the needs of individuals with disabilities through the arts.

Programming Partners and Other Funders:

Oklahoma Department of Human Services; Cameron University; University of Central Oklahoma Chisholm Trail Heritage Center; Oklahoma Alliance for Arts Education; Oklahoma Art Education Association; Putnam City Public Schools; Tulsa Public Schools F.O.R. Blues, Inc.

Educational Programs and Artist Residencies

Creative Expressions

Creative Expressions is an eight-week summer art program that takes place each year during the months of June and July for children ages 5–13. The VSA arts of Oklahoma early childhood curriculum is implemented in this program.

Arts for All

Arts for All is an adaptive arts program created specifically to support arts instruction for children with disabilities. The Arts for All program includes activities designed to increase participation in the arts by individuals with disabilities, improving each participant’s quality of life.

Chisholm Trail Experience

VSA arts of Oklahoma is collaborating with the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center to implement the Chisholm Trail Experience program. This year’s program introduced children with disabilities to the exciting life of the cowboy on the Chisholm Trail. After-school activities include hands-on workshops in visual arts and music.

Professional Development and Technical Assistance

VSA arts of Oklahoma Professional Development Workshops

VSA arts of Oklahoma works closely with the Oklahoma Alliance for Arts Education, the Oklahoma Art Education Association, Cameron University, and the University Of Central Oklahoma to provide professional development workshops that bring arts education leaders and professional educators together to identify their arts education needs.

Dusk ‘til Dawn Blues Festival

In 2009, VSA arts of Oklahoma will cosponsored this Labor Day weekend event for the fourth year in a row. In 2008, more than 5,000 people attended this annual festival, hosted by accomplished bluesman D.C. Minner and his wife, Selby, in Rentiesville.