Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition

What Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition does

Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1988 and headquartered at 609 W. Sheridan Ave. in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The coalition serves individual visual artists across Oklahoma, including painters, sculptors, photographers, ceramicists, illustrators, and multidisciplinary practitioners at emerging, mid-career, and established stages. OVAC operates as a platform-plus-programs model delivering grants, exhibitions, professional development, and community services through more than a dozen distinct programs including THRIVE Grants (up to $10,000 with The Andy Warhol Foundation), Creative Projects Grants, MOMENTUM for young artists ages 18-30, the 12x12 Art Fundraiser (175 artists), OVAC Members Show, ASK workshops, the Artist Entrepreneur Program, and Art Focus quarterly magazine. The coalition also provides Photo Studio services, fiscal sponsorship under its 501(c)(3) status, and operates the statewide Oklahoma Arts Calendar.

Underlying technology is limited and operational rather than differentiating: OVAC runs on Wild Apricot membership software for website, member management, event registration, and online store functionality. Membership is structured in five annual tiers ranging from $25 (Student) to $300 (Patron, up to ten members), with additional revenue from donations, the 12x12 fundraiser, Art Focus subscriptions and advertising, Photo Studio sessions ($50 members / $100 non-members), and a 4% administration fee on fiscal sponsorship funds. The organization employs 1-10 staff and is governed by a board of directors without traditional ownership.

OVAC's strategic posture emphasizes community-building and ecosystem development rather than technology or geographic expansion. Core partnerships include The Andy Warhol Foundation (THRIVE Grants), Paseo Arts Association and Uncanny Art House (Photo Studio), Allied Arts (Arts Education), and event venue partners such as the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, The Yale Theater, and Dunlap Codding. The organization reports over 400 members, 500+ artist gallery profiles, and cumulative investment exceeding $2.75 million in Oklahoma artists since 1988.

Name

Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition

Legal name

Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition

Website

https://ovac-ok.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1988 that supports Oklahoma visual artists through grants, exhibitions, professional development, and community programs, serving over 400 members statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts Nonprofit Services

akta.pro primary industry

Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Access Academic Publishing (MPAJABAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Open Multimedia OER (video, audio, podcasts, animations) (EDAGAJAF)

Keywords

• Visual arts coalition
• Artist grants funding
• Arts professional development
• Exhibition programs
• Nonprofit arts services

Headquarters

HQ city

Oklahoma City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees ranging from $25 (Student) to $300 (Patron) providing access to member hub, artist gallery profiles, newsletters, discounts, and eligibility for member-exclusive exhibitions.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Major annual fundraiser 12x12 features 175 Oklahoma artists with works sold through online auction. The organization has invested over $2.75 million in Oklahoma artists since 1988.
3. Art Focus Magazine: Quarterly magazine covering Oklahoma visual arts, sold via subscription and advertising. Provides 50% discount to members.
4. Photo Studio Services: Professional photography services for artists at $50 (members) or $100 (non-members) per session, in partnership with Paseo Arts Association and Uncanny Art House.
5. Fiscal Sponsorship Administration: OVAC retains 4% administration fee on funds raised through fiscal sponsorship program for qualifying artist projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

OVAC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports and empowers Oklahoma visual artists through grant funding, exhibitions, professional development workshops, portfolio photography, a quarterly arts magazine, fiscal sponsorship services, and a statewide arts calendar. The coalition operates a tiered membership program and runs signature events such as MOMENTUM, the 12x12 Art Fundraiser, and the OVAC Members Show.

Product overview

Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition is a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) operating as a platform-plus-programs model that empowers Oklahoma's visual artists through a comprehensive suite of services. The organization functions as a membership-based coalition offering professional development (ASK Program, Artist Entrepreneur Program), grant funding (THRIVE Grants, Grants for Artists), exhibition opportunities (MOMENTUM, 12x12 Art Fundraiser, OVAC Members Show, Art Crit Night), educational resources (Arts Education Resources, Photo Studio), community programs (Community Supported Artist Program), and fiscal sponsorship services. The organization also publishes Art Focus magazine and maintains the Oklahoma Arts Calendar as information resources for the visual arts community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ASK Program Professional development program offering tailored workshops, panels, and artist consulting services that empower Oklahoma artists with skills in marketing, technology, legal skills, and business fundamentals.
• THRIVE Grants Grant program providing up to $10,000 to Oklahoma artists for ambitious, experimental, and public-engaging visual arts projects, funded in partnership with The Andy Warhol Foundation.
• Grants for Artists Multiple grant programs supporting Oklahoma artists including Creative Projects (up to $1,500), Community/Artist Partnerships (up to $1,500), Education Assistance (up to $500), and Professional Basics (up to $500).
• MOMENTUM Exhibition Annual two-day exhibition showcasing innovative young visual artists ages 18-30 from across Oklahoma, featuring spotlight artists with $1,000 stipends and survey artists, with mentorship and skill-building opportunities.
• 12x12 Art Fundraiser Annual one-night-only art celebration featuring 175 Oklahoma artists creating works strictly in 12x12 inch format, with online and live auction, raising vital funds for OVAC programs.
• OVAC Members Show Annual exhibition celebrating the talents of OVAC member artists, featuring diverse 2D and 3D works from Oklahoma's creative community.
• Art Crit Night Free art critique event featuring local artists presenting their work during curator-led discussions, with $100 honorarium for participating artists.
• Photo Studio Program Professional photography services for artists to build portfolios, prepare for exhibitions, or enhance online presence, with sessions at Oklahoma City and Norman locations.
• Community Supported Artist Program Collector membership program where OVAC member artists receive funding to create commissioned pieces for collector members, fostering collaboration between artists and local collectors.
• Fiscal Sponsorship Program allowing individual artists and artist-run organizations to use OVAC's 501(c)(3) status to raise tax-deductible funds, with 4% administration fee.
• Arts Education Resources Free downloadable educational guides and lesson plans created by Oklahoma artists covering various mediums and age groups from Kindergarten through 12th grade.
• Artist Entrepreneur Program Cohort-based program providing business and professional development skills for artists through structured curriculum and mentorship.
• Step-Up Art Program Program supporting emerging artists with resources and opportunities for professional development.
• Art Focus Magazine Quarterly print and digital magazine featuring artist profiles, gallery reviews, previews, art commentary, and artist essays covering Oklahoma's visual arts scene.
• Oklahoma Arts Calendar Statewide calendar listing visual arts events, artist opportunities, exhibitions, and community art activities across Oklahoma.
• OVAC Membership Program Tiered annual membership program (Student $25, Individual $45, Family $75, Fellow $150, Patron $300) providing access to member hub, artist gallery profiles, Art News Oklahoma newsletter, gallery guide, member mixers, exhibition eligibility, and partner discounts.

Quantifiable outcome

• $2.75 million invested in Oklahoma artists since 1988
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOVAC partners with The Andy Warhol Foundation to administer THRIVE Grants of up to $10,000 for Oklahoma artists. These grants support ambitious, experimental, and public-engaging visual arts projects that foster creativity and collaboration.
• Paseo Arts AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOVAC partners with Paseo Arts Association to provide Photo Studio locations in Oklahoma City, offering professional photography services for artists at discounted member rates.
• Uncanny Art HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOVAC partners with Uncanny Art House in Norman to provide Photo Studio locations, offering professional photography services for artists at discounted member rates. Chase Spivey serves as Photo Studio photographer.
• Allied ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllied Arts provides funding for OVAC's Arts Education Resource Hub, which includes free downloadable education guides crafted by Oklahoma artists for diverse age groups and artistic mediums.
• The Yale TheaterminorOthersMOMENTUM 2026 exhibition venue at The Yale Theater in Oklahoma City's Calle Dos Cinco, providing a dynamic space for the young artists exhibition.
• Dunlap CoddingminorOthersAnnual 12x12 Art Fundraiser venue at Dunlap Codding in Oklahoma City, hosting the one-night-only art celebration featuring 175 Oklahoma artists.
• Oklahoma Hall of Fame | Gaylord-Pickens MuseumminorOthersOVAC Members Show 2026 venue at the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, hosting exhibition opening reception and artist panel.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Texas Cultural Trust: Texas-based nonprofit supporting arts education and promoting the state's artistic heritage through programs, events, and grants. Comparable in operating at state-level with programs spanning artist support, education, and cultural advocacy.
• Mid-America Arts Alliance: Regional nonprofit arts organization serving Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. Direct peer providing grants, professional development, and artist services — explicitly overlaps with OVAC's Oklahoma service territory.
• Arts Council of Indianapolis: Local arts council serving Indianapolis-area artists and organizations through grants, advocacy, and programming. Comparable local/regional coalition model with membership, grants, and capacity-building programs.
• Minnesota Citizens for the Arts: Statewide arts advocacy coalition in Minnesota advancing public funding for the arts. Direct peer to OVAC as a state-level arts coalition building membership and advocating for artist support, though more advocacy-focused than service-focused.
• Alternate ROOTS: Regional nonprofit supporting artists and cultural organizers in the American South through grants, convenings, and community-based arts programming. Comparable grassroots coalition model focused on artists across an underserved region.
• South Carolina Arts Commission: State government agency supporting South Carolina artists and arts organizations through grants and programs. Comparable state-level grant-making and artist support model, though funded as a state agency rather than independent nonprofit.
• Vermont Arts Council: State arts agency providing grants, services, and advocacy to Vermont artists and organizations. Direct peer in providing multi-tier grants, professional development, and statewide artist services from a small-state base.
• Lower Manhattan Cultural Council: NYC-based arts nonprofit providing grants, residencies, and programming to Manhattan-based artists. Direct peer in offering multi-tier artist grants, fiscal sponsorship, workspace programs, and community-focused artist services.
• National YoungArts Foundation: National nonprofit identifying and supporting emerging artists ages 15-18 in visual, literary, performing, and design arts. Comparable to OVAC in mission (artist development through grants, recognition, programming) but operates at national scale.
• New England Foundation for the Arts: Regional nonprofit that distributes grants and provides programs to artists and cultural organizations across New England. Directly comparable in distributing foundation-funded grants, hosting professional development, and convening artists.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/OklahomaVisualArtsCoalition
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oklahoma-visual-arts-coalition

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition