OSU Museum of Art Advocates donate $12,000 to impact the arts in Stillwater Public Schools


Story and images provided by the Oklahoma State University Museum of Art

Highland Park Elementary. Pictured Left to Right: Casey Pankey, Education and Programming Coordinator at OSU Museum of Art; Shelbie Witte, SPEF Trustee; Brianne Ozment, Highland Park Elementary Art Teacher

The Oklahoma State University Museum of Art Advocates and the Stillwater Public Education Foundation (SPEF) are partnering to provide a $12,000 sponsorship to support art education in Stillwater Public Schools for the 2018-2019 school year.

The sponsorship will give all elementary schools $1 per student for art supplies. The middle school, junior high and high school will also benefit by receiving this amount for students taking art classes. In addition, teachers will have the opportunity to apply for grants twice a year through SPEF that encourage interdisciplinary curriculum and classroom teaching that integrate visual arts.

“Art is an essential part of education for all students; the creativity and confidence that it builds in children is invaluable,” said Jenifer Bartley, SPEF executive director.  “This donation will give teachers the opportunity to do what they do best — be innovative and creative while bringing an interdisciplinary approach to classroom teaching.”

Will Rogers Elementary. Pictured Left to Right: Jenifer Bartley, SPEF Executive Director; Kelly Bradshaw, Administrative Associate at OSU Museum of Art; Denise Ferrell, Will Rogers Elementary Art Teacher

According to Bartley, this is the first year both music and art will be available at all six Stillwater Public School elementary sites.

“The Art Advocates want to showcase how art enriches our lives and community,” said Jill Webber, Art Advocates co-chair. “We value the arts, and we want its opportunities available to everyone.”

The OSU Museum of Art Advocates support the museum and its outreach to the community through their advocacy, volunteering, and/or financial contributions.

The museum is currently exhibiting Benjamin Harjo Jr.: We Are a Landscape of All We Know until Dec. 8 and Centering Modernism: J. Jay McVicker and Postwar American Art until Jan. 19, 2019. Both exhibitions feature the work of OSU alumni.

All exhibitions at the OSU Museum of Art are free and open to the public. Discover holiday hours and other information at museum.okstate.edu.

About the OSU Museum of Art
For more information about the OSU Museum of Art, visit museum.okstate.edu or call 405-744-2780. The museum is located at 720 S. Husband Street in downtown Stillwater. Hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm. Hours are extended Wednesdays and Thursdays until 7 p.m. Admission is free, thanks to generous support from the OSU Museum of Art Advocates.