Individual Artists of Oklahoma

About

IAO is a non profits arts organization and art space, and a community event space.

Story

MISSION
Supporting contemporary and experimental artists of all disciplines and creating space for artists to impact our community.

HISTORY
IAO started as a grassroots organization in 1979. Founded by three poets, the vision was to create an organization to support a group of artists who went against the grain.

Since then, IAO has grown to become the bastion of creative freedom for Oklahoma’s artistic community, with a space that supports programs for poets, visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, dancers and more. The space hosts events for artists, our community, and shares the space with non-profit organizations. We focus on developing quality, inclusive programming with artists who push limits, experiment with media, ask challenging questions, and who bring a different perspective.

VISION
With an interdisciplinary focus, a physical location and conceptual freedom for artists to experiment, IAO is rich soil for growth. Artists, creatives, and individuals have the power to come together to create lasting community changes. IAO is that space.

STAFF
IAO is led by Executive Director, Laurence Myers Reese (né Laura). Reese joined IAO in March of 2016 after a year long search. Reese is an active member of Oklahoma’s artistic community and has been recognized for his leadership in arts administration. Before joining IAO, Reese served as programs coordinator for the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC), where he oversaw grantmaking, education, exhibitions and other efforts to support artist statewide.

Reese has first-hand experience with IAO as an artist, having curated exhibitions in the space and shown with the organization several times through different leadership. “I understand the importance of knowing who we serve at IAO,” Reese said. “IAO has the unique power to connect diverse groups together in one space. Artists and the arts have the power to engage and grow our community in new directions. I’m glad to bring my dedication to this important work to IAO.”

Mission

Supporting contemporary and experimental artists of all disciplines and creating space for artists to impact the community.

Products

IAO creates opportunities for Oklahoma artists by curating and developing socially relevant exhibitions in one of the finest gallery spaces in region. The IAO Gallery features works and exhibitions that display innovative and thought-provoking concepts and approaches that broaden the dialogue with the community and enhance the public's understanding of the role of contemporary art and the artist.

All works and exhibitions presented at IAO are selected from applications submitted to the Visual Arts, Film and Video, Poetry, or Performance Committees. The programs cover a broad range of expression by artists of all ages, at various levels of professional recognition, and who are diverse in race, philosophy, culture and economics. Selected program applications effectively demonstrate original contemporary themes and the technical ability to successfully convey the artists’ intentions.