Oklahoma City, Okla.
– Nearly 300 educators and artists from across Oklahoma gathered this October at Quartz Mountain State Park & Lodge for the 2025 Oklahoma Fall Arts Institute (OFAI)—a series of immersive weekend workshops designed to spark creativity, strengthen artistic skills, and inspire innovation in the classroom. Among this year’s participants were Lynise Parrish, Lacy Plines, and Leah Tyner of Madill Public Schools.
Led by nationally acclaimed artists, OFAI offered in-depth instruction in literary, visual, and performing arts. Over three weekends, participants from more than 210 schools statewide engaged in hands-on learning while earning 18 hours of professional development credit. Collectively, their experiences will enrich the education of more than 50,000 Oklahoma students.
Since 1983, the Oklahoma Arts Institute has hosted the Fall Arts Institute, providing adult artists and educators with transformative opportunities to refine their craft or explore new artistic disciplines. The program complements the organization’s flagship OklahomaSummerArts Institute (OSAI), a nationally recognized residential academy for talented high school students, celebrating its 50th year in 2026.
This year’s Fall Arts Institute featured a diverse range of workshops, including poetry, theatre, stop motion animation, drawing, printmaking, Cherokee pottery, photography, world music and drumming, and painting. Educators also benefited from specialized sessions such as “Adaptive Art: Tools, Techniques, & Transformation” and “STEAMology: Spark Artful Leading & Learning,” which connected creativity directly to classroom practice.
“I'm not sure if I can put into words the benefit this scholarship program has brought to my students or to myself,” said Madill Middle School teacher Leah Tyner. “The information, skills, knowledge, and encouragement that I have received through OFAI is immeasurable! Each time, I come back andshareitallwithmyfellow educatorsheretobenefiteven morestudentsandeducators. OFAI is one of the best things Oklahoma has to offer.”
Most Oklahoma public schooleducatorsattendOFAI on full scholarship, with tuition discounts also available for college students, private school teachers, and other adult learners. Each scholarship for Madill participants was generously provided by BancFirst Charitable Foundation. The four-day, all-inclusive retreat also offers extracurricular opportunities such as tai chi and guided stargazing, creating a well-rounded and restorative creative experience.
Scholarships for Oklahoma educators attending OFAI are made possible in part by the Oklahoma State Department of Education, and the Oklahoma Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Oklahoma and the National Endowment for the Arts. Scholarship funding is also provided by the Albers Family Fund, Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation, Avedis Foundation, BancFirst Charitable Foundation, Cresap Foundation, Edward E. and Helen Turner Bartlett Foundation,E.L.andThelma GaylordFoundation,Express Employment International, and Sam Viersen Family Foundation.
Next summer, Oklahoma high school students can experience the same transformative arts instruction at Quartz Mountain during the 50thOklahomaSummerArts Institute (OSAI). Auditions for this prestigious program will begin in December and run through February 9, 2026. Every selected student receives a full scholarship to attend. More information is available at oaiquartz.org.