Performing Arts High School Being Pushed

There's a push underway to raise education scores in Oklahoma by spotlighting the arts.  One group wants a special statewide performing arts high school built in Tulsa.

Thursday, February 28th 2008, 10:29 pm

By: News On 6


There's a push underway to raise education scores in Oklahoma by spotlighting the arts.  One group wants a special statewide performing arts high school built in Tulsa.  The News On 6's education reporter Ashli Sims reports the move is underway to make the school a reality.

A group of Tulsans is counting on the talent of young people to get an arts dream off the ground.  David Downing says he got the idea of a performing arts high school from his son, who attended the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute.

"And, just absolutely loved it. Came home after the second year and was just lamenting the fact that it was over. And he said, 'wouldn't it be great if we could have a full-time arts high school for Oklahoma?'" said David Downing.

They came up with the Oklahoma School for Visual and Performing Arts, a two-year residential arts high school featuring everything from photography to music to drawing to dance.  Downing says it would be similar to the Oklahoma School for Science and Math.

"Our school will be the same on the arts side of the fence," said David Downing.

The idea is rather unique.  There are only two other public arts high schools in the country and both are pretty expensive. 

North Carolina's collegiate program includes almost 300 high school students.  The program boasts a 100% graduation rate and its students outscore state and national averages on the SAT.

Alabama's $5 million program enrolls about 350 arts students.  It also sports high marks with its kids besting the state and national average on the ACT.

"Ya know we're moving into a conceptual age economy in the United States and in the world. And honestly, conceptional thinkers are going to be the ones that kind of lead that," said David Downing.

The idea has made its way to the Oklahoma Legislature in the form of Senate Bill 1469.  Downing's son, who is attending an arts program in Chicago, sent this message to lawmakers.

"I really hope you help to make this vision a reality. I think it would be a great asset to the state and a great opportunity for all of the students in Oklahoma. And it would really make Oklahoma a great place to be," said Coleman Downing.

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