ALLIED ARTS

beside the check-in tables in front of the cowboy museum’s famed sculpture of Abraham Lincoln, and grade-schoolers Hudson Ratcliff and Abigail Ruth Manners, students at Lyric Theatre’s Thelma Gaylord Academy, served as the charming masters of ceremonies for the event.

“If you have been inspired by one of the stories from tonight, I want you to know that there are hundreds and hundreds more stories from others who are being touched in the same way by the arts in our state," Ann-Clore Duncan said. "Many of our agencies go all over Oklahoma … so your dollar’s going a lot further than just here in the metro area."

Big difference

Campaign funds are used to provide grants to Allied Arts’ 26 member agencies, which can use the money to offset operating costs; underwrite productions, performances and exhibits; create educational opportunities for underserved populations; and increase access to the arts through free and affordable programming.

The campaign’s reach extends to additional nonprofit arts groups that receive Allied Arts grants. For the past two years, 20 arts organizations outside the member agencies roster have garnered Allied Arts grants, a spokeswoman said.

Allied Arts made the list of the top 10 largest United Arts Fund campaigns in the country in fiscal year 2015. Circle Club members, along with corporate and foundation sponsors, have helped the 2017 campaign off to a strong start, already raising more than $950,000, AnnClore Duncan said.

Eric Oesch, co-director of Red Earth Inc., said that Allied Arts has grown steadily with the state arts community. After a rigorous vetting process, Red Earth became one of six new member agencies added in 2014.

“We’re thankful and grateful to be a part of Allied Arts. … Allied Arts in Oklahoma City is one of the premier funds in the country for raising money for arts organizations,” Oesch said. “It shows that the community really supports the arts, and it makes us feel good that people support what we do.”

Oesch said Red Earth uses its Allied Arts funding for youth arts programming during its annual Red Earth Festival and for American Indian art exhibitions at its downtown arts center.

“We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without their help — it’s just that simple,” he said.

For the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, one of the original Allied Arts member agencies, Allied Arts funding is the single largest external revenue source. Executive Director Eddie Walker said the organization provides 7½ percent of the orchestra’s total revenue.

“So, that’s a big number, but beyond that, I think there are organizational benefits: the awareness, the marketing. For those of us (executive directors) and staff, Allied Arts is kind of an incubator. We gather four times a year and hear about what everyone else is doing … and look for ways to collaborate,” Walker said.

“We hear from colleagues who move here from other places … that it’s kind of unique what we have, this open, welcoming community of arts leadership. And I think Allied Arts helps foster that.”

HOW TO HELP

The Allied Arts 2017 campaign continues through June 15. To donate or get more information, go to www.alliedartsokc.com or call 278-8944.