UCO's Oklahoma Center for Arts Education Presents "Youth Arts Day" at the State Capitol

February 14, 2008

The Oklahoma Center for Arts Education (OCAE), located within the University of Central Oklahoma College of Arts, Media and Design, presents "Youth Arts Day" from 9 a.m. to noon March 4 on the fourth floor rotunda of the State Capitol.

"Youth Arts Day" is the official kickoff event for "Youth Arts Month" in Oklahoma, which is a time set aside to bring attention to arts and art education in the state.

"We know from research that the arts play a critical role in a student's success, not only in school, but in life," said Hayden Roberts, executive director of OCAE.

"We want to make sure that lawmakers understand this link and continue to aggressively fund arts programs."

Among the individuals and groups scheduled to perform are Makenna Smith, Miss Oklahoma 2007; the World Music Drummers from Kendall-Whittier Elementary School; the Oklahoma Music Educators Association All-State Children's Chorus; Ballroom Dancers from Will Rogers Elementary School; and the Chickasaw Nation Youth Dancers.

Also, Oklahoma's "Youth Arts Month" flag design winner, Amanda Davis of Guthrie High School, will unveil her winning entry that will be flown at the nation's capitol in March, along with the flags from each of the other state winners, in recognition of "Youth Arts Month."

"Youth Arts Day" is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Ines Burnham, OCAE program manager, at (405) 216-2588, or online at iburnham@ucok.edu.

Page updated 2/15/08