Oklahoma City, OK – We are thrilled to announce that the Oklahoma International Dance Festival has been awarded a $20,000 Community Grant from the Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation. This generous grant will support the OIDF Teaching Dance in Public Schools program, which aims to enhance the quality of life for rural citizens and communities in Oklahoma, specifically at Tishomingo Elementary School.
Through the Teaching Dance in Public Schools program, students at Tishomingo Elementary School will have the opportunity to learn dance skills and techniques from experienced OIDF teaching artists. This will be achieved through a series of in-school workshops from August through December. We are incredibly excited to bring high-quality dance education to these students, who may not have had access to such opportunities before.
Dance education is not only about learning dance steps; it also fosters creativity, improves physical and mental well-being, and brings communities together through artistic expression. By providing dance education to students in rural areas, we are enhancing their overall quality of life and contributing to the cultural enrichment of our communities.
The Oklahoma International Dance Festival is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in dance performance and education throughout Oklahoma. Our annual summer intensive program brings together an international faculty and students for two weeks of intensive study in ballet, modern, jazz, african, and contemporary dance. Alongside the rigorous training, students have the chance to perform, receive mentorship, and build connections with like-minded professionals in the field. The festival concludes with a free Community Day and public performance, where the community can witness our participants' incredible talent and passion.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation for their support, as well as the Kirkpatrick Foundation and our community sponsors. Together, we are positively impacting the lives of students and communities in Oklahoma through the power of dance.
About the Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation
The Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation was established in 1995 by Carolyn Watson, the late CEO and chairman of Shamrock Bank, N.A. Since then, the foundation has distributed $3 million to support schools, charitable organizations, and local government entities in their efforts to enhance the quality of life in rural Oklahoma communities. The foundation’s grant programs are administered by the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. For more information, visit www.occf.org/ruraloklahoma.4
About the Oklahoma City Community Foundation
Founded in 1969, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that works with donors throughout the state to create charitable funds that will benefit our community both now and in the future. For more information, visit www.occf.org.