ART MATTERS Allied Arts Quarterly Newsletter Volume 8, Issue 3, Spring 2015 Enriching Our Communities Through Advancement of the Arts CAMPAIGNING FOR THE ARTS On January 14, the Allied Arts 2015 campaign for the arts launched at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Campaign co-chairs John Parsons and Renzi Stone announced this year’s goal of raising $3.4 million to more than 300 guests in attendance. (left) Renzi Stone, Allied Arts Board Vice Chair & 2015 Campaign Co-Chair; Dr. Robert Ellis & Mrs. Nancy Payne Ellis, 2015 Honorary Chairs; and John Parsons, Executive Committee Member & 2015 Campaign Co-Chair speak at the 2015 Campaign Kickoff. Campaign funds impact the lives of approximately 1 million people each year with the power of the arts, including the provision of 500,000 arts education experiences to schoolchildren statewide. Leading arts agencies utilize Allied Arts funding to continue enhancing our community’s quality of life. Allied Arts grants support arts integration into daily school curriculum, afterschool arts programs, and free and affordable arts programming for all to enjoy. Oklahoma Youth Orchestras, an Allied Arts member agency, performed to open the event. In addition, Life Change Ballroom, an Allied Arts grantee, performed a number of dance routines at the Kickoff Event, showcasing the countless hours that students and instructors spend on the weekend rehearsing the foxtrot, jive, paso doble and samba. Celeste Cotton, a 17-yearold student, shared how her life has been transformed and the perception of her future has been expanded through her seven-year participation with Life Change Ballroom. She talked about how she has learned more than dance technique; she has learned self-respect, discipline and teamwork. To date, the campaign has raised more than $2.3 million. With the campaign ending in May, there is still time for you or your company to make a difference. You can participate in the campaign in one or more of the following ways: The 2015 Kickoff Event was presented by Chesapeake Energy Corporation, The Chickasaw Nation, Devon Energy Corporation and OGE Energy Corp. • Spread the word about the great deals featured on the OKCityCard, available with a $50 donation to Allied Arts. Share the back page of this newsletter with friends and family who don’t already have a card. (right) Christian Robinson and Rianna Brooks – 16-year-old Life Change Ballroom students – perform at the Campaign Kickoff. • If you haven’t already, make a donation by returning the enclosed pledge card to Allied Arts or visiting alliedartsokc.com. • Recommend your place of business for an employee giving campaign. It’s a simple and fun way to engage your co-workers in community enhancement efforts. RECOGNIZING THE 2015 HONORARY CHAIRS An Allied Arts tradition for 17 years, the annual fundraising campaign provides the opportunity to shine the spotlight on extraordinary Oklahomans making a difference in our community. In 2015, Allied Arts honors Dr. Robert S. Ellis and Nancy Payne Ellis for their steadfast support of cultural organizations, as well as their work with countless health, education and social service issues. On March 3, more than 200 Allied Arts supporters and Ellis admirers gathered at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art to recognize the Ellises for their far-reaching contributions to our city and state. The tribute included a special performance from renowned fiddler Kyle Dillingham and presentation of a special gift to the Ellises for their leadership and guidance on behalf of this year’s fundraising effort. (top) 2015 Honorary Chairs Bob and Nancy Ellis. (right) Campaign cabinet member Aimee Harlow (right), chaired the event with her committee which included Sherry Beasley, Tricia Everest (left), Kirk Hammons, Judy Love (center), Brenda McDaniel and Darlene Parman. Thanks to those who donated in honor of the Ellises, this year’s Honorary Chair Event raised more than $828,000 for the annual campaign. “Our city and state’s tremendous growth and forwardmomentum have run parallel with our cultural renaissance. Our economic growth and quality of life are tied to our arts landscape,” Nancy Ellis shared with event attendees. “Fortunately for us, we live in a city that understands the value of the arts and invests in our cultural fabric.” Presenting Sponsors of the 2015 Honorary Chair Event were American Fidelity Foundation, Tricia L. Everest, Judy and Tom Love and Martha Williams. Patron Sponsors were Kathy and Hal Brown, and Lori and Bond Payne. Special thank you to Valerie and Brad Naifeh and Central Liquor for providing beverages, and to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art for donating the venue space. (left) Ann Lacy joins Michael Whittington, Executive Director of Oklahoma City Museum of Art. (left) Diane and Joel Lippert enjoy the event. (left) Guests enjoyed the musical talents of Kyle Dillingham, shown here serenading Terri Cooper. ALLIED ARTS MONTH - IT’S A WRAP On January 20, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and the Oklahoma City Council proclaimed February 2015 as Allied Arts Month. With this designation, Allied Arts accelerated its marketing and outreach efforts to engage the entire community in supporting the arts. In order to engage new companies with Allied Arts, John Richels, Devon Energy president and CEO, hosted a breakfast on February 5 for local executives to illustrate the impact of the arts on education, economic development and quality of life. Speakers included American Fidelity Foundation president and MAPS 3 Citizens Advisory Board chairman Tom McDaniel who examined the link between the city’s progress and the expansion of cultural offerings, and Oklahoma Children’s Theatre executive director Lyn Adams who shared her personal experience of changing young lives with theatre. Allied Arts welcomes the participation of companies of all sizes and industries. Opportunities include corporate giving, event sponsorship and in-kind donations. To learn more, please contact [email protected]. As a part of Allied Arts month, the Edmond Running Club designated a portion of proceeds from its 20th annual Frigid Five Run to Allied Arts. Staff hosted a craft area for children participating in the fun run. EMPLOYEES TAKE CENTER STAGE Two of Allied Arts largest employee giving campaigns – Devon Energy and American Fidelity – also launched in February. Allied Arts staff visits more than 100 local businesses each year to spread the word about Allied Arts and its member agencies. Since every company has its own culture, Allied Arts tailors each employee giving campaign to meet those needs - be it a live presentation, online giving or even coordinating trips to visit local arts agencies. To learn more or sign up your company, email [email protected]. (top) John Parsons and Renzi Stone, 2015 Campaign Co-Chairs, with Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett. (middle) The Oklahoman graciously donated its downtown digital billboard to help promote February as Allied Arts Month. The banner also welcomed guests to the annual CEO breakfast. (bottom) Allied Arts staff members, Zach Gozlan and Caitlin Tarasi, pose with the Edmond Running Club’s Frigid Five mascot. (clockwise from top) OK City Chorus singers perform at the Devon rotunda to entertain employees during their lunch hour; Allied Arts staff member, Abby Walker, leads a team-building activity for American Fidelity employees; Science Museum Oklahoma performs a demonstration at American Fidelity’s Member Agency Fair – an opportunity for employees to mingle with and learn more about the local arts organizations their donations support. YOUR INVESTMENT AT WORK In the second funding cycle of the 2015 fiscal year, the Allied Arts grants committee awarded $84,000 in support of 26 youth arts education projects and $53,881 in support of 21 capacity-building efforts. The Allied Arts capacity-building program provides grants to qualified cultural nonprofits to build their capability to remain strong, sustainable and in a position to meet their constituency’s needs. The Allied Arts Educational Outreach program funds activities working to bring arts experiences to Oklahoma youth, with a focus on underserved, at-risk students. Through the projects supported this cycle, approximately 200,000 schoolchildren will benefit from cultural opportunities in their classrooms, school break camps and afterschool programs. Funded projects include Oklahoma City Ballet’s ArtsReach which enables Title-1 schools across central Oklahoma to attend a live ballet performance, and Prairie Dance Theatre’s in-school programming using movement to enhance letter and site word recognition and promote phonics and basic sentence building for low-performing second grade Oklahoma City classes. 2015 EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH FUNDERS Bank of America Dobson Family Foundation Flogistix Hobby Lobby JPMorgan Chase Foundation Target To read about all the projects supported by Allied Arts, visit alliedartsokc.com/grants. (clockwise from top left) A Big Brothers Big Sisters “little” tours the [Artspace] at Untitled Gallery; Members of Canterbury Choral Society’s Youth Chorus prepare to perform; and high school students create their own artwork after a fieldtrip tour of Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center. CHARITY NAVIGATOR FOUR-STAR RATING ACHIEVED Allied Arts is pleased to announce that it recently received the highest possible rating given to nonprofits for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency from Charity Navigator, a national nonprofit evaluator. The organization provides essential information to give donors the greatest confidence in the charitable choices they make. According to Allied Arts president and CEO, Deborah McAuliffe Senner, “Transparency and accountability are paramount in our organization. Our donors place a tremendous amount of trust in us to ensure that their dollars are used wisely. We realize that donors have many choices on where to give their dollars – and this distinction further endorses the work that we are doing. Allied Arts, our board and our employees are extremely proud to have earned this distinction.” Receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates that Allied Arts adheres to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way. With more than 17,000 nonprofits in Oklahoma, only 17 have received a four-star rating. Of those, Allied Arts is the only organization in the arts, culture and humanities category to receive this distinction. This exceptional designation demonstrates to the public Allied Arts is worthy of their trust. CATALYST CORNER Catalyst, Allied Arts’ young professionals network, invites current and prospective members to ARTini in Wonderland on March 27 from 7-11 p.m. at the OKC Farmers Market. Chaired by Claire Turmelle, the event features original martinis crafted by the metro’s favorite restaurants, an art auction of works by local artists, a raffle featuring one-of-a kind experiences and live music by Replay. ARTini is an annual fundraising event coordinated by emerging leaders engaged in the arts who donate $300 for a single membership or $500 for a couple membership. Catalyst benefits include ARTini ticket(s) as well as quarterly social and networking events. ARTini in Wonderland is presented by Devon Energy and OGE Energy Corp., along with 110 events. The VIP sponsor is Kickapoo Casino Harrah and Shawnee. Other sponsors include AT&T Oklahoma, Bank of Oklahoma, Cox Communications, Cushman Wakefield/Commercial Oklahoma, Dunlap Codding, GableGotwals, The Oklahoman, Prairie Wolf Spirits and Traction. Claire Turmelle, 2015 ARTini Chair TICKETS: $75 per person Available at alliedartini.com or by calling 405.278.8944 FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES If you love the arts, crave a tasty gyro sandwich and plan to attend the Festival of the Arts, Allied Arts needs you! We are looking for volunteers to help us serve up Greek specialties from April 21-26 during the 2015 Festival. Shifts are four hours. If you are interested in volunteering, please send an email to [email protected]. More than 800 guests enjoyed martinis, food, local art and more at last year’s ARTini event. SHOP AND GIVE BACK TO THE ARTS Allied Arts is partnering with Kendra Scott Classen Curve for a “Kendra Gives Back Party.” Join us on April 9 from 5-8 p.m. for bubbles and bites while shopping for the latest jewelry trends. Allied Arts will receive 20% of all sales during the party. We hope to see you there! 2014 volunteers at the Papa’s Greek Foods booth. If you prefer online shopping, visit smile.amazon.com. Customers receive the same great products, prices and services from Amazon, but 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases will be donated to Allied Arts. It’s that easy! THE ARTS NEED YOU! See the enclosed packet for more details. Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Oklahoma City Permit #581 1015 N. Broadway, Ste. 200 Oklahoma City, OK 73102 office: 405.278.8944 web: www.AlliedArtsOKC.com follow: @AlliedArtsOKC IN THIS ISSUE: • 2015 Campaign Update • Honorary Chair Event • Arts Month Wrap Up • Your Investment at Work • ARTini is Almost Here! Save big. Make an impact. Save BIG with the OKCityCard With great discounts at more than 400 local businesses, there’s no excuse not to use your OKCityCard. Below are a few reminders of the incredible deals to be had with the 2015 card: For 2015, there are a number of new restaurant partners offering 10% off food purchases, including: Ajanta Cuisine of India, Jazmo’z Bourbon Street Café, La Brasa Peruvian Kitchen, Michelangelo’s Coffee and Wine Bar, Pie Junkie, Pierre Pierre Creperie and WXYZ Bar and Grille. Also new to the card, Broadway 10 Bar & Chophouse offers complimentary dessert with entrée purchase, Crave takes off $1 from your smoothie purchase, and Nothing Bundt Cake deducts 20% off an entire cake purchase. Experience one of Oklahoma City’s best-kept musical secrets. Take in a Saturday night show at Oklahoma City’s own Rodeo Opry in the Stockyards District and use your OKCityCard to deduct $2 from your ticket purchase. Spring is right around the corner. Save on your planting needs with the OKCityCard. At TLC Garden Centers, you’ll receive 10% of all non-discounted items. While at Trochta’s Flowers & Greenhouse, present your card for 20% of all in-store gift items and plants (not including Easter Lilies). Oklahoma City hosts one of the top 20 coolest film festivals in the world, and it’s not too early to get your All Access Passes to the 2015 deadCENTER Film Festival to be held from June 10-14. Present your OKCityCard at the ticket office for the deal of the summer, 2-for-1 Festival passes. For a full list of partners and discounts, visit OKCityCard.com
© Copyright 2024