Arts Council Oklahoma City Honored with Three Major Community Awards During 60th Anniversary Year
Following the 2026 Festival of the Arts, Arts Council Oklahoma City has been recognized with three major honors celebrating the organization’s impact on Oklahoma City’s cultural landscape, tourism economy, and community connection during its 60th year of service.
- The ONE Award for Nonprofit Excellence in the Arts & Humanities
- Best of the 405 – Best Cultural Event for Festival of the Arts
- The Hometown Hero Award from Visit OKC for contributions to Oklahoma City tourism and community spirit
Together, these recognitions reflect Arts Council OKC’s decades-long commitment to “bringing the arts and the community together” through free and low-cost arts programming, cultural events, and arts education initiatives serving hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans annually.
“To receive recognition from the nonprofit sector, the tourism industry, and the community itself — all in the same season as our 60th anniversary — is deeply meaningful,” said Angela Cozby, Executive Director of Arts Council Oklahoma City. “These honors belong to the artists, volunteers, supporters, educators, and audiences who have shaped Arts Council OKC over six decades. They reaffirm the vital role the arts play in strengthening Oklahoma City culturally, economically, and socially.”
ONE Award for Nonprofit Excellence
Presented annually by the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, the ONE Award recognizes outstanding nonprofit organizations across the state for operational excellence and mission impact. Arts Council OKC received the award in the Arts & Humanities category, highlighting the organization’s leadership in arts accessibility, community programming, and cultural stewardship.
Best of the 405 — Best Cultural Event
Festival of the Arts was selected by readers as the winner of 405 Magazine’s Best of the 405 award for Best Cultural Event, recognizing the Festival’s lasting place within the identity and traditions of Oklahoma City. Now entering its 60th year, Festival of the Arts remains one of the region’s most attended and beloved arts celebrations.
Hometown Hero Award
Visit OKC recognized Arts Council OKC with its Hometown Hero Award for contributions to tourism, economic activity, and community vibrancy in Oklahoma City. Through events such as Festival of the Arts and year-round programming like Art Moves and All Access Arts, Arts Council OKC continues to activate public spaces and attract residents and visitors to the city’s cultural core.
“For 60 years, Arts Council OKC has helped shape the experiences and memories that define our city,” Cozby said. “Whether someone attended their first Festival as a child, discovered a local artist through one of our programs, or experienced live performance in a public space, these moments create lasting connections between people and their community.”