At its Campaign Celebration event Monday evening, Allied Arts announced that the organization raised $3,617,292 in support of central Oklahoma’s arts community through its 2023 fundraising efforts. Allied Arts campaign funds are distributed to more than 40 local nonprofit cultural organizations annually, providing the resources they need to remain dynamic, reach underserved populations, and offer quality and affordable programming to the public.

“The more than $3.6 million raised will  go a long way in helping arts and culture organizations enhance quality of life for all,” said Hillary Farrell, 2023 Campaign Co-Chair. “We are grateful that individuals, businesses and foundations came together to support access to the arts for Oklahomans across all 77 counties”. Farrell and her husband and co-chair Peter thanked the donors and leadership volunteers who played an instrumental role in reaching the campaign goal. Leading the charge among donors were The Chickasaw Nation, Devon Energy, Hobby Lobby, The Kirkpatrick Family Fund, and OG&E. They all made significant contributions of $100,000 or more as Visionary donors.

In addition to the more than $3.6 million raised through the campaign, Allied Arts also announced that central Oklahoma will receive nearly $3 million of the $10 million in State American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that went into law on May 26. “Securing this ARPA allocation, in concert with our coalition partners Oklahoma Arts Council and Tulsa Arts Alliance, was a monumental team effort,” said Allied Arts Advocacy Chair Ben Kirk.

Event guests also learned that the 2024 Step-Up artist will be the late Benjamin Harjo, Jr. Harjo is one of the nation’s preeminent First American artists, often referred to as the "Picasso of Native American art." The piece for next year’s employee giving program is a limited-edition print , each individually hand-signed by Harjo before his passing and designated distinctively for Allied Arts as the 2024 Step-Up Artwork. Allied Arts is privileged to have, to the best of our understanding, Mr. Harjo’s last work,” said Peter Farrell, 2023 Campaign Co-Chair. “We are honored to celebrate his legacy throughout the next year with our 2024 Campaign.”

In 2023, employee giving campaigns were held by 169 businesses across the greater metro and raised a record-breaking $778,000 for Allied Arts. Employees attended presentations and heard from partner organizations about what their donations helped the organizations accomplish.

While the 2023 campaign has technically concluded, Allied Arts accepts donations and delivers employee giving presentations year-round. Please call 405-278-8944 to learn more or visit alliedartsokc.com/donate to make a secure donation online.

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