Oklahoma Arts Institute moving to Norman
Tony Pennington
The Norman Transcript
Under the all-concealing shadows of a dark Guthrie night in 1910, then-Gov. C.N. Haskell ordered the removal of the state seal and its relocation to Oklahoma City. This covert act solidified Oklahoma City's bid as the new state capital and created a folklore tradition still discussed and embellished by Okies.
While nowhere near the political and economic impact of moving a state seal, Oklahoma City certainly will experience a loss when the Oklahoma Arts Institute closes its doors in the Hightower Building and establishes its new home in Norman this November. And unlike Haskell's clandestine, cloak and dagger operation, there was no conspiracy.
"We are moving the administration offices because we can save a lot on rent," said new OAI president and former board member Molly Shi Boren. "We will save over $20,000 a year and for a non-profit, that is significant."
Financial concerns over administrative costs were not the only motivating factors. Boren also cited issues related to parking and accessibility for staff and board members.
"It is very difficult for our volunteers and staff to park in the current location," Boren said of the Oklahoma City offices at 105 North Hudson. "Norman will be more accessible to our board members, and we wanted to be centrally located. The best deal we found was in Norman."
From the Riverside Center, 2600 Van Buren St., Boren and her administrative staff will conduct preparations for the organization's student-based Summer Arts Institute and the adult-oriented Fall Arts Institutes. Boren said Riverside's location, next to I-35, addressed transportation concerns for board members as those individuals represent nearly all Oklahoma counties. She also said the Norman community and the University of Oklahoma could provide OAI with a wealth of opportunities.
"We feel that Norman, in the terms of student volunteers and other volunteers, is good for us," she said. "Norman is a very good location for various reasons."
With their relocation still months away, the reality of OAI in Norman has several local leaders excited.
"I think it's fabulous," said Anna-Mary Suggs of the Norman Chamber of Commerce. "I have tremendous respect for the Oklahoma Arts Institute. I think that we have a really strong arts community in Norman already and this will just go toward enhancing our reputation as an arts community."
Norman Arts Council Executive Director Marta Burcham is the former public relations director for OAI. She said the group has done a lot in nurturing the artistic development of students and adults in the state. And while NAC does not have a professional relationship with OAI, Burcham would like to create one.
"We look forward to helping OAI and partnering with them any way we can," Burcham said. "I'm sure the city of Norman will welcome them with open arms. This helps reinforce what I've said and the Norman Arts Council has said all along, 'Norman is the heart of the arts in Oklahoma.'"
If the "art heart" beats in Norman, it gets its fair share of blood from Norman High School and Norman North High School. According to Boren, OAI has developed close ties to Norman based on the schools.
"From the very beginning of the program there have been a large contingent of Norman students involved," she said. "Norman is a good town for OAI."
And the feeling seems to be mutual.
"It's a perfect fit," said Norman Public Schools Director of Fine Arts Dr. Brad Benson. "Students and teachers with Norman Public Schools have had a long relationship of participating in the Oklahoma Arts Institute programs. We certainly welcome the administrative office to Norman and wonderful community and public school system with a strong focus on the arts."
The Norman Transcript
Under the all-concealing shadows of a dark Guthrie night in 1910, then-Gov. C.N. Haskell ordered the removal of the state seal and its relocation to Oklahoma City. This covert act solidified Oklahoma City's bid as the new state capital and created a folklore tradition still discussed and embellished by Okies.
While nowhere near the political and economic impact of moving a state seal, Oklahoma City certainly will experience a loss when the Oklahoma Arts Institute closes its doors in the Hightower Building and establishes its new home in Norman this November. And unlike Haskell's clandestine, cloak and dagger operation, there was no conspiracy.
"We are moving the administration offices because we can save a lot on rent," said new OAI president and former board member Molly Shi Boren. "We will save over $20,000 a year and for a non-profit, that is significant."
Financial concerns over administrative costs were not the only motivating factors. Boren also cited issues related to parking and accessibility for staff and board members.
"It is very difficult for our volunteers and staff to park in the current location," Boren said of the Oklahoma City offices at 105 North Hudson. "Norman will be more accessible to our board members, and we wanted to be centrally located. The best deal we found was in Norman."
From the Riverside Center, 2600 Van Buren St., Boren and her administrative staff will conduct preparations for the organization's student-based Summer Arts Institute and the adult-oriented Fall Arts Institutes. Boren said Riverside's location, next to I-35, addressed transportation concerns for board members as those individuals represent nearly all Oklahoma counties. She also said the Norman community and the University of Oklahoma could provide OAI with a wealth of opportunities.
"We feel that Norman, in the terms of student volunteers and other volunteers, is good for us," she said. "Norman is a very good location for various reasons."
With their relocation still months away, the reality of OAI in Norman has several local leaders excited.
"I think it's fabulous," said Anna-Mary Suggs of the Norman Chamber of Commerce. "I have tremendous respect for the Oklahoma Arts Institute. I think that we have a really strong arts community in Norman already and this will just go toward enhancing our reputation as an arts community."
Norman Arts Council Executive Director Marta Burcham is the former public relations director for OAI. She said the group has done a lot in nurturing the artistic development of students and adults in the state. And while NAC does not have a professional relationship with OAI, Burcham would like to create one.
"We look forward to helping OAI and partnering with them any way we can," Burcham said. "I'm sure the city of Norman will welcome them with open arms. This helps reinforce what I've said and the Norman Arts Council has said all along, 'Norman is the heart of the arts in Oklahoma.'"
If the "art heart" beats in Norman, it gets its fair share of blood from Norman High School and Norman North High School. According to Boren, OAI has developed close ties to Norman based on the schools.
"From the very beginning of the program there have been a large contingent of Norman students involved," she said. "Norman is a good town for OAI."
And the feeling seems to be mutual.
"It's a perfect fit," said Norman Public Schools Director of Fine Arts Dr. Brad Benson. "Students and teachers with Norman Public Schools have had a long relationship of participating in the Oklahoma Arts Institute programs. We certainly welcome the administrative office to Norman and wonderful community and public school system with a strong focus on the arts."
