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 monthly sessions, selected participants learn about the role of the arts in economic development, education, and quality of life. Participants graduate from Leadership Arts during a special ceremony.
In order to graduate from the Leadership Arts program, class members must:
Tuition covers program costs and materials. Class members are responsible for paying for their own travel, lodging, and meals for the four 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 (based on 2025 rate; subject to change)
Travel, lodging, and meals: $1,000 ($250 per session)
Oklahoma Arts Conference registration: $129 (based on 2023 rate; subject to change)
Oklahoma Arts Conference travel, lodging, and meals: $400
Total estimated cost = $2,100
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance may be available from third parties 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.
Leadership Arts is offered every two years. Thirty participants from across the state are selected from online applications submitted during the application period. Participants attend four two-day monthly sessions held in different communities. Participants officially graduate from the program during a special graduation ceremony. 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.
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, city managers and other local government officials, tribal representatives, civic leaders, educators, community volunteers, and others.
Leadership Arts curriculum is designed for adult learners across cultural and educational backgrounds. Participants will learn how the arts make a significant contribution to Oklahoma's economy, cultivating and retaining a creative workforce; how communities have developed arts programs and vibrant arts spaces to enhance quality of life; and, how the arts improve the image of cities and neighborhoods while serving as a centerpiece for community engagement.
Leadership Arts will help you better articulate and advocate for the arts in your community; design strategies for employing local assets for cultural development; work towards creative partnerships and consensus building; and, mobilize your leadership capacity and the capacity of others.
Questions?
Director of Community Arts and Workforce Programs
Miranda Gilbert
(405) 308-9270
miranda.gilbert@arts.ok.gov
