Art Tech is making a remarkable difference in Oklahoma’s public schools, bringing the joy and benefits of arts education to students who might otherwise miss out. Launched in 2020, this five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education is dedicated to expanding access to a well-rounded education by introducing fine arts courses to schools with little to no arts programs. Each year, the program steadily increases the number of schools it serves, ensuring more students can experience the creative and personal growth that comes from participating in the arts.

At the heart of Art Tech are the teaching artists – working professionals in their respective fields of dance, drama/theatre, music and visual arts. These artists are not only experts in their craft but are also trained in the Oklahoma Fine Arts Standards, high-quality instructional practices, and classroom management. This thorough preparation, conducted each summer, equips them to deliver engaging and impactful lessons. With the support of grant funds, Art Tech has developed comprehensive curricula for pre-K through fifth grade, sixth grade through eighth grade and ninth grade through 12th, providing everything needed to inspire creativity, from lesson plans to essential supplies.

The feedback from teachers and students has been overwhelmingly positive. One teacher praised the program, saying, “The teaching artist is highly effective and engaging. The curriculum is fantastic and builds on previous weeks. Art has become an emotional outlet for our students.” A student added, “Mrs. W is so kind and helpful. She loves everyone and loves to see us grow.” Another teacher noted, “Our students have enjoyed having an art experience taught by a professional artist!”

These testimonials highlight the transformative power of arts education, which goes beyond artistic skills to foster critical thinking, self-expression, creativity and empathy. The need for this program is great. In the 2021-22 school year, over a quarter (26%) of Oklahoma public pre-K-12 schools offered no arts courses, leaving 116,943 students in 447 rural and remote schools without access to the arts. Art Tech is bridging this gap, one school at a time, ensuring that more students can experience the joy and growth that comes from engaging in the arts.

Art Tech’s impact continues to grow. Starting with 11 school sites in its first year, the program expanded to 22 school sites for the 2024-25 school year. Together, we’re making sure that more students in Oklahoma have the opportunity to experience the arts and all the benefits they bring.