The Oklahoma Film + Music Office introduces an “Innovation Insight” series of profiles, which will highlight a variety of Oklahoma film and music professionals who have found creative ways to continue their craft or businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. As we adjust in these uncharted waters, our creatives around the state continue finding innovative ways to use technology and we agree with their mindset: “The show must go on.”
Arts Council Oklahoma City is a nonprofit 501 (C)(3) organization that is dedicated to bringing the arts and the community together through free or low-cost, large-scale downtown Oklahoma City cultural events and a variety of arts outreach activities that impact under-served populations.
ART MOVES
Arts Council Oklahoma City’s Art Moves program adjusted their daily downtown performances to online streaming. “With the current circumstances we’ve been facing regarding the Coronavirus and the canceling of so many events, we felt it imperative to take care of our artists while also continuing our mission of bringing arts and the community together,” says Chase Kerby, Art Moves Director.
Art Moves provides free art events each workday from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., previously located at various downtown buildings and public spaces. Daily lineups feature a wide range of artistic mediums, including musical & theater performances, live art demonstrations, short film selections, and more.
On March 19, 2020, Art Moves transitioned from in-person performances to live streaming. “Normal locations for Art Moves were just not viable as all of us were made aware of the need to limit audience congregation. So [in March] we partnered with local restaurant groups 84 Hospitality and Humankind Hospitality Services and serenaded the to-go traffic pickups. Art Moves performers maintained strict social distancing outside the restaurants, bringing smiles to customers picking up food,” says Peter Dolese, Executive Director of Arts Council Oklahoma City.
However, with the continuation of COVID-19 and the Safer at Home proclamations from Governor Stitt and Mayor Holt, Art Moves is transitioning to the next phase of online performance. “I’m extremely proud of the exceptional creative Art Moves performers who are now live streaming performances right in their own living rooms at home,” says Dolese.
“By live-streaming, Art Moves is able to continue its mission of championing the connection between artists and Oklahoma City,” says Kerby. “We also hope that this will help establish routines for folks having to work from home during this time. We love supporting local artists, sharing their live streams, and giving the community something to look forward to every day.”
Visit Arts Council Oklahoma City’s Facebook page for Art Moves live streaming each weekday at noon. Additional information on Arts Council Oklahoma City’s programming and initiatives, can be found on artscouncilokc.com.
SUNDAY TWILIGHT CONCERTS
Join the Arts Council Oklahoma City every Sunday night this summer for the 2020 Sunday Twilight Concert Series! Each week they will bring you a different genre of music from local and regional acts from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., kicking off the season by live-streaming from The Jones Assembly, which you can watch on their Facebook page!
Submit your own stories or nominate another Oklahoma film and/or music professional or business’ innovation, whether they found creative ways to retain employees, bring education or entertainment to new virtual audiences, provide emergency relief or even simply staying in business during these unprecedented times. Oklahomans will come out stronger and better as we rebuild our future. SUBMIT HERE.