Senate Approves Bill Creating Oklahoma School of the Arts

Sen. Snyder says SB 1501 will create the Oklahoma School of the Arts, a school similar to the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics.

The full Senate has given approval to a measure that would create the Oklahoma School of the Arts. Senator Mark Snyder is author of Senate Bill 1501 and said the school would be similar to the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (OSSM.)

“The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics has done an excellent job of providing academic opportunities to some of our state’s most brilliant young minds. But now it is time to provide a similar opportunity to another group of young people who are equally as brilliant in areas of performing and fine arts,” explained Senator Snyder, R-Edmond.

Senator Snyder said that like OSSM, the Oklahoma School of the Arts would be a boarding school for students in their final two years of high school. The students would have the opportunity to study music, dance, art, writing, film, drama and other fields in the performing and fine arts with some of the best instructors in the country.

“Too often the arts are dismissed as nonessential, easily cut during tough budget times. But study after study shows the importance of music and art in cognitive development. By short-changing the arts, our children are short-changed.” explained Snyder.

“Beyond that, we have an opportunity to put Oklahoma on the map in arts education, just as we have with OSSM. The creation of the Oklahoma School of the Arts will elevate our state in many ways—educationally, economically and culturally.”

Senator Snyder said many of the details are still being worked out, including where the proposed school would be located. He said one possibility would be for local communities to compete for the arts school.
SB 1510 now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

Contact info

Senate Communications Division- (405) 521-5774