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February 24, 2013

Class takes in local arts scene

By Stefanie Brickman The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — The Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Stephen Koranda began his participation in the 2013 Leadership Arts Class last week.

Koranda is among a class of 32 people from across the state who will receive in-depth instruction on how to use local arts and cultural resources for economic development, improved education and enhanced quality of life.

The 2013 class includes business owners, civic leaders, chamber of commerce and marketing destination professionals, nonprofit art organization directors, artists and educators.

During four two-day spring sessions, class members participate in panel discussions, group activities and tours of community art spaces.

The 2013 sessions will take place at the Quartz Mountain Resort and Arts Conference Center near Lone Wolf (Feb. 20-21), the Coleman Theatre in Miami (March 20-21), the Forest Heritage Center and the Red River Museum near Broken Bow (April 24-25), and Oklahoma City (May 22-23). Class members will graduate during the Oklahoma Arts Conference in Ardmore Oct. 22-23, 2013.

Since the first Leadership Arts class in 2008, 147 individuals have graduated from the program.

Leadership Arts is sponsored by the Oklahoma Arts Council and funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. The program is a project of the Oklahoma Arts Council in cooperation with Quartz Mountain Resort, Forest Heritage Center, Red River Museum, and the communities of Miami, Oklahoma City, and Ardmore. The Oklahoma Arts Council is the official state agency for the support and development of the arts. The Council’s mission is to lead, cultivate and support a thriving arts environment, which is essential to quality of life, education and economic vitality for all Oklahomans.

Two others representing Norman organizations join Koranda in the program this year: Kevin Smith from the Cimarron Circuit of Opera and Jonathan Fowler of Fowler Holdings. Cassie Gage who lives in Norman is also among the class members.

Stefanie Brickman, CTA, is the communications manager of the Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau. The NCVB exists to promote the city, to attract overnight meeting, convention, sport and tourism business to the community, and to enhance and contribute to the overall identity and economic well-being of the city. The Vision of the Norman Convention & Visitors Bureau is to be the leader who proactively markets and develops Norman as the preferred destination in Oklahoma.

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