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Davis-Waldorf Performing Arts Series receives $20,000 grant as part of American Rescue Plan Act


USAO Foundation receives one of six awards to Oklahoma arts organizations
USAO Foundation receives one of six awards to Oklahoma arts organizations

The University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma’s Davis-Waldorf Performing Arts Series was recently awarded a $20,000 grant from the Mid-America Arts Alliance, made possible through funding from the National Endowment for the Arts as part of their allocation of the American Rescue Plan Act.

The grant will support costs of presenting workshops, educational outreach performances, masterclasses and performances by world-class professional performing artists.

“For the past 20 seasons, our performing arts series has served the USAO campus, K-12 schools and our community by making attendance accessible and affordable,” said Katie Davis, professor of theatre arts and DWPAS executive director. “We are so grateful for the generous support from the MAAA which is helping us to meet the increased costs of presenting the series during the pandemic. Last season, our virtual series was available free for all subscribers and this year adult ticket prices have not increased, and all students have been offered free tickets to all artist series events. Ensuring local availability of high-quality, professional performance is one way in which we enrich the quality of life for our region.”

The USAO Foundation presents the DWPAS with additional support from the Oklahoma Arts Council, Chickasha Public School Foundation, Mid-America Arts Alliance, and corporate and community partners. Its mission is to encourage attendance at high-quality performing arts events as an aspect of a liberal arts education for students, to provide an affordable entertainment resource for the community, and to become a leader in local arts education by presenting relevant and culturally diverse programming that broadens the aesthetic of our audiences.

“The impacts of COVID-19 on the arts and creative sector have been tremendous,” said Todd Stein, president and CEO of the MAAA. “We are thankful to share these funds from the NEA to assist in their recovery from the ongoing pandemic.”

Strengthening and supporting artists, cultural organizations and communities, the MAAA recently awarded more than $1.1 million in grants to 50 different organizations thanks to funds originating with the American Rescue Plan Act. They have awarded over $6 million in relief funding to artists and arts organizations throughout its six-state region during the pandemic.

 

Arkansas Recipients:

Arkansans for the Arts, Little Rock, AR: $11,150

Calico Rock Museum & Visitors Center, Calico Rock, AR: $40,000

Hot Springs Area Cultural Alliance, Hot Springs, AR: $10,000

Open Mouth Reading Series, Fayetteville, AR: $10,000

Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation, Bentonville, AR: $20,000

Voice of Arkansas Minority Advocacy Council, Jonesboro, AR: $20,000

 

Kansas Recipients:

Arts Council of Johnson County, Overland Park, KS: $40,000

Harvester Arts, Wichita, KS: $20,000

Kansas Alliance for the Arts in Education, Salina, KS: $10,000

Lawrence Children’s Choir, Lawrence, KS: $20,000

Manhattan Arts Center, Manhattan, KS: $20,000

 

Missouri Recipients:

Arts Asylum, Kansas City, MO: $10,000

Black Archives of Mid-America, Kansas City, MO: $40,000

Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City, Kansas City, MO: $20,000

Bootheel Youth Museum, Malden, MO: $40,000

Dances of India, St. Louis, MO: $10,000

Intercultural Music Initiative, St. Louis, MO: $40,000

Missouri Alliance for Arts Education, Maryland Heights, MO: $21,150

No Divide KC, Kansas City, MO: $20,000

 

Nebraska Recipients:

Benson First Friday, Omaha, NE: $40,000

Blue River Arts Council, Crete, NE: $10,000

Circle Theatre, Omaha, NE: $20,000

El Museo Latino, Omaha, NE: $40,000

BLIXT Locally Grown, Lincoln, NE: $20,000

Nebraskans for the Arts, Omaha, NE: $11,150

Nebraska Writers Collective, Omaha, NE: $40,000

Prairie Arts Center/Creativity Unlimited Arts Council, North Platte, NE: $20,000

West Nebraska Arts Center, Scottsbluff, NE: $10,000

Why Arts, Omaha, NE: $20,000

 

Oklahoma Recipients:

Osage Ballet, Skiatook, OK: $10,000

Black Liberated Arts Center, Oklahoma City, OK: $40,000

Choregus Productions, Tulsa, OK: $40,000

David-Waldorf Performing Arts Series at the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma,

Chickasha, OK: $20,000

Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, Shawnee, OK: $20,000

Oklahomans for the Arts, Oklahoma City, OK: $40,000

 

Texas Recipients:

Capitol View Arts, Austin, TX: $20,000

Community Artists Collective, Houston, TX: $20,000

Community Music Center of Houston, Houston, TX: $40,000

East Lubbock Art House, Lubbock, TX: $10,000

Flatlands Dance Theater, Lubbock, TX: $10,000

Harris County Cultural Arts Council, Houston, TX: $20,000

India Fine Arts, Austin, TX: $20,000

Make Art with Purpose, Dallas, TX: $10,000

Museum of Human Achievement, Austin, TX: $40,000

Pegasus Media Project, Dallas, TX: $20,000

Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance, Austin, TX: $20,000

Texans for the Arts, Austin, TX: $11,150

TILT, Austin, TX: $10,000

Trucha, McAllen, TX: $20,000

USA Film Festival, Dallas, TX: $10,000

 

For more information, visit usao.edu/dwpas or call (405) 574-1213.