To support, encourage, coordinate, and promote high-quality activities and programs in the arts and humanities for the Chickasha area community.
The Council was incorporated in 1991 as the Washita Valley Arts Council until its reorganization in 2003 as the Chickasha Area Arts Council. The council was revitalized as a direct response of community strategic planning through the Oklahoma Community Institute in 2002 with the responsibility of providing a focus to arts activities in the area. The council collaborated with the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma and the local community theater not to duplicate arts experiences but to expand arts and cultural experiences to the area. Specific initiatives addressed identified community weaknesses in the following areas: *Community Pride (stemming from oil busts from the 20’s and 80’s) *Arts Access to Classes and Workshops (due to rural nature of community.) Activities resulting from board directives is and has addressed these issues with the following activities: *Public Art collaborations with local city government *A cultural/history tour of the local cemetery featuring actors portraying community citizens *Annual arts festival for families in the local park *Annual workshops based on community input (including Ballroom Dancing, Poetry, Creative Writing, Theatrical Improvisation, and Music Therapy) *Enhancement and support of a children’s multi-disciplinary arts camp called ArtScope.
To support, encourage, coordinate, and promote high-quality activities and programs in the arts and humanities for the Chickasha area community.
