College of Fine Arts and Design

March 9, 2012

The University of Central Oklahoma's Oklahoma Center for Arts Education (OCAE) will host the 2012 "Youth Arts Day" in honor of Youth Arts Month, nationally recognized in March, from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. March 13, on the fourth floor rotunda of the Oklahoma State Capitol.       

The event will feature guest speakers Gov. Mary Fallin and Betty Thompson, Miss Oklahoma 2011.  Gov. Fallin and Thompson will speak about supporting the arts and arts education.  Thompson, an award-winning Irish dancer and member of the world-renowned McTeggart Irish Dancers, will also perform an Irish dance for audience members.           

Additionally, the Oklahoma Music Educators Association (OMEA) All-State Choir will perform and presentations will be given by the Oklahoma Arts Education Alliance (OAEA) Flag Winner and the winners of the "Drawing for Dollar$" art competition hosted by the Oklahoma Council on Economic Education.           

"This year's ‘Youth Arts Day' is going to be a very fun and inspiring event," said Ines Burnham, OCAE Director.           

"With continuing and proposed state budget cuts in education and in the arts, it is extremely important for us as parents and arts enthusiasts to advocate for arts education.  Our students must continue to be able to thrive by participating in the arts in and outside of school."       

The 2012 "Youth Arts Day" is an annual event that is a collaborative effort among the OCAE, OMEA and the OAEA.  The event is meant to highlight the importance of the arts and arts education in schools.             

The event is free and open to the public.           

For further information about "Youth Arts Day" or the Oklahoma Center for Arts Education, contact Ines Burnham, OCAE Director, at (405) 974-3784 or iburnham@uco.edu.