Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Oklahoma Arts Council seeks ongoing funding after $10M ARPA infusion; requests one-time preservation and operating support
Summary
The Oklahoma Arts Council told lawmakers the sector remains fragile after the pandemic despite a $10 million ARPA grant and asked for ongoing and one‑time state funding to support arts education, Capitol collection preservation and operational costs tied to returning to the Jim Thorpe Building.
Amber Sharples, executive director of the Oklahoma Arts Council, told the Appropriations and Budget committee the agency is using $10 million in federal ARPA funding to stabilize arts organizations statewide but is asking the Legislature for additional ongoing and one‑time state funds to preserve the State Art Collection, support arts education and cover new occupancy costs. “Our state believes in the value of the arts,” Sharples said as she opened the council’s budget presentation, noting the ARPA infusion and related private matches aided hundreds of organizations.
The council reported awards to 182 organizations for the ARPA sector grants and said it has paid out $3.7 million so far — about 38 percent of that funding — and is using the investment to restore programs that support attendance, workforce development and rural arts access. Sharples told lawmakers the Arts Council also has paid staff time and technical assistance commitments associated with administering the large ARPA program: “In 2024 alone, our team dedicated…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
