Program allows Tulsans to sample local arts scene
By JAMES D. WATTS JR., 1/24/2006
The Williams Cos. and Young Professionals of Tulsa are taking a pass at helping local arts groups by winning the seats and minds of a couple of generations of Tulsans.The two organizations have created the Tulsa Arts Sampler, a special offer that will let buyers experience what nine area visual and performing arts presenters have to offer.
The Sampler costs $100, and includes admission to events at Philbrook and Gilcrease museums, as well as tickets to performances by Tulsa Opera, Tulsa Ballet, the Signature Symphony at Tulsa Community College, Light Opera Oklahoma, the Circle Cinema, the Nightingale Theatre and the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa.
The Tulsa Arts Sampler can only be purchased through the YPTulsa Web site, www.yptulsa.org.
"It's really an amazing deal," said Amanda Hollon, director of community relations at Williams and a member of YPTulsa. "I recently bought tickets to two performances by Tulsa Ballet for my daughter and myself, and that came to about $150.
"But with the Sampler, people get a lot more than just tickets to an event," she said. "Each show on the Sampler includes some sort of exclusive event in association with the performance -- a private reception, a backstage tour, meeting with the artistic directors and performers."
In addition, Hollon said, 100 percent of the proceeds from sales of the Tulsa Arts Sampler will go toward arts education.
"We've established a fund through the Tulsa Community Foundation, and all monies will go into that fund," she said. "Exactly how those funds will be used hasn't been determined, but it's possible that we will donate the money to area schools, or to the arts groups to help in their education programs. There's lots of possibilities."
Hollon said the idea for the Tulsa Arts Sampler grew out of Williams' long-standing commitment to supporting the arts.
"We had to re-think our community giving strategy in recent years," Hollon said. "We decided to focus our attention on the United Way and K through 12 education. But the company still has a great deal of interest in supporting the arts and making Tulsa a vibrant city, and we wanted to get involved with a project that would impact all our arts partners and benefit education."
The program also targets one of the most important -- and, when it comes to the visual and performing arts, under-represented demographics: the 20 to 40-something young professionals.
"We wanted something that would appeal to this group," Hollon said. "And I understand. I'm a single mother, and while there are events and shows I'd like to attend, sometimes I don't want to deal with committing to season tickets, or trying to find a date to go to something. The Tulsa Arts Sampler is a great way for people to get acquainted with what Tulsa has to offer."
The events chosen for the Tulsa Arts Sampler were selected, Hollon said, because they among the less-traditional offerings.
The events are:
Feb. 11 Philbrook Museum, "Cut: Film as Found Object in Contemporary." Exclusive showing of unique media exhibit with live local entertainment, food and drink.
March 3 Tulsa Opera, "Ariadne auf Naxos," followed by private dinner reception at the PAC with entertainment by chorus members and costume designers.
March 25 Signature Symphony, with Celtic fiddler Eileen Ivers, with pre-event catered reception with musical entertainment from Tulsa Public School students and Eileen Ivers.
April 8 Tulsa Ballet's mixed-bill "Evolution," with post-event champagne and dessert celebration on the PAC stage with Tulsa Ballet dancers and backstage tours.
July 7 Light Opera Oklahoma, "The Little Barber of Lavapies," a zarzuela (Spanish operetta), with authentic Spanish dinner reception with entertainment by chorus members.
July 14-15 Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa's The Art of Barbecue.
Nov. 3 Gilcrease Museum's "American Art in Miniature," reception and silent auction of more than 150 works of art from nationally recognized artists.
The Sampler also includes tickets for the Nightingale Theatre's summer production of "The Metamorphosis" by Ovid, Aug. 10-19, and to a summer film at the Circle Cinema.