Allied Arts

Annual campaign to benefit 20 arts organizations in Central Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., Jan. 27, 2009 − Last night, Allied Arts – Oklahoma’s only United Arts Fund – launched its annual fundraising campaign at a special kick-off event. The night’s highlight was the announcement of this year’s campaign goal; a goal to raise more than $2.85 million to benefit Central Oklahoma arts organizations. Campaign co-chairs, Lance Benham and Linda Haneborg, hope to secure donations from both individuals and corporations to support Allied Arts’ 20 member arts agencies.

“Last year, Allied Arts member agencies impacted the lives of 1.9 million people, including 212,000 children, in Central Oklahoma and beyond,” said Benham. “With one gift to Allied Arts, you reach 20 different arts organizations and the millions of people they benefit. Plus, you send a message that the arts are important to you and our community.”

Allied Arts offers numerous ways to contribute to the campaign. Individuals who donate $50 or more receive the OKCityCard, a premier entertainment discount card offering year-round savings at arts events and activities, as well as top retail and restaurant locations. Corporations can make organizational gifts and host workplace giving meetings, offering their employees a chance to pledge donations from their offices. 

“A gift to Allied Arts helps to make the arts accessible to everyone in Oklahoma City and beyond,” said Haneborg. “Your donation keeps ticket prices affordable and allows arts organizations to offer free performances in schools and at local events.”

In addition to raising critical funds for 20 arts and cultural agencies, the annual campaign also honors individuals for their local leadership and remarkable contributions to the arts community. This year, Allied Arts recognizes Judy and Tom Love, owners of Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, as honorary campaign chairs. In this role, the Loves will lend their business expertise and community knowledge to help guide campaign efforts.

“Not only is supporting Oklahoma City’s arts community a personal passion of ours, but it’s good for business too,” said Judy Love. “A strong arts community improves the quality of life for our employees and helps boost business through tourism dollars. We are honored to support Allied Arts and the arts organizations that make us so proud to be Oklahomans.”

For more information or to contribute to the campaign, please visit www.alliedartsokc.com or call (405) 278-8944. Donations are tax-deductible.

About Allied Arts
As Oklahoma’s only United Arts Fund, Allied Arts generates awareness of the importance of the arts, mobilizes support for arts and cultural organizations and funds arts education programs for Central Oklahoma school children. Founded in 1971, the organization has raised more than $40 million to advance the arts in Oklahoma City and its surrounding communities.

Allied Arts’ member agencies include:
• Ambassadors’ Concert Choir
• Arts Council of Oklahoma City
• Canterbury Choral Society
• Carpenter Square Theatre
• Cimarron Opera
• City Arts Center
• Guy Fraser Harrison Academy
• Individual Artists of Oklahoma
• Lyric Theatre and Thelma Gaylord Academy
• Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art
• Metropolitan School of Dance
• Oklahoma Children’s Theatre
• Oklahoma City Ballet
• OK City Chorus
• Oklahoma City Museum of Art
• Oklahoma City Philharmonic
• Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park
• Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition
• Prairie Dance Theatre
• Science Museum Oklahoma

For more information, contact Allied Arts at 405-278-8944 or visit www.alliedartsokc.com.

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