Enid Arts Council
Mission StatementThe goal of the Enid Arts Council is to encourage and support cultural and educational events, both by our attendance, volunteer work and financial assistance for the greater Enid area.
Partners in EducationIn 2005, Enid was selected as a Partner in Education by The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. This allowed the collaboration of Enid Public Schools and Enid Arts to provide professional development opportunities in "the Arts" and arts integration to teachers.
The purpose of the arts organization-school system partnership is to establish professional development opportunities that build teacher confidence, while promoting arts integration into their curriculum. |
Renaissance AwardThe Enid Arts Council Renaissance Award is given to individuals, organizations, or educators who reflect activity beyond expectations or responsibilities.
Nominees are considered based on their involvement in the arts and humanities, leadership in major initiatives, impact on arts education, volunteer work, plus their efforts in increasing funding, resources, public awareness, accessibility of the arts and humanities. Eldon Ames was the 2023 recipient of the Enid Arts Council Renaissance Award! 
Eldon W. Ames grew up on a farm north of Mooreland, Oklahoma. He studied Art Education at Northwestern Oklahoma College in Alva, and after teaching in Kansas, he taught 23 years for Enid High School and was one of the Palette Club sponsors. Eldon was the head of the Enid Public Schools art department, where he coordinated the art curriculum for all the schools in the Enid Public School system. He has helped motivate and inspire generations of artists through the years and has never stopped learning about more beautiful architecture, artists, and paintings. His home is a monument of artworks of the many students and friends he's acquired through the years. Eldon was on the founding board of Leonardo's Children's Museum, the Chautauqua board, the Public Arts Commission of Enid, and recently had his artwork on display at The Commons. He has been on the board of the Enid Arts Council for many years, He has the history and knowledge of the years we've worked to promote the arts. He's sacrificed his time every month to call everyone about the meetings, keeps everyone up to date on members, and he's always shown up for the work days, whether it is cooking or writing letters. He is the constant within our organization, leading with humility, and quiet, grounded knowledge and wisdom.
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