ARTSOK IS a Non-Profit Organization dedicated to raising awareness of arts & culture and encouraging the arts within the Broken Arrow community AND BEYOND.
About
The partnership between Broken Arrow Public Schools, community leaders, Kristin Chenoweth and ARTSOK Inc. has proven to be a unique and rare collaboration that has brought many amazing opportunities and gifts to Broken Arrow’s students, teachers and citizens.
As the focus on the arts in Broken Arrow grows, so does the need for a unified organization to help in the development of its continued success. ARTSOK, the Regional Arts Alliance of Broken Arrow, is an organization combining the strengths of the former Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center Foundation and the former Broken Arrow Arts and Humanities Council of Broken Arrow.
This merger creates a unified arts organization with a broader reach and greater impact for the community. ARTSOK’s creation unifies fundraising efforts, provides greater diversity in programming, offers more grant opportunities and gives a stronger voice to arts advocacy at the local, state and national level.
Future plans for ARTSOK include maintaining all the great programming currently offered at the BAPAC and programs such as Art After Hours, Art in Public Places, Chalk it Up, Poetry Slam, Tuesdays in the Park, UpClose Concert Series, The Spotlight Series, Kristin Chenoweth’s Broadway Boot Camp and Master Class events, after-school programs and many others.
ARTSOK will also be an integral part in the construction of a new arts center in downtown Broken Arrow, bringing an even bigger impact of the arts to Broken Arrow, and enhancing arts education for its students and community.
Board of Directors OFFICERS
President
Melinda Clonts
Melinda Clonts brings a varied background in both the field of fine arts and community business to the Board. She has performed with such organizations as Baltimore Opera, Columbus Opera, Opera Vivente, Tulsa Opera, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Gilbert & Sullivan Society as well as The Sunset Symphony. She was a finalist in the prestigious Stewart Opera Competition and an Alternate Winner in the Metropolitan Opera competition.
Along with her numerous musical experience, she has pursued various professional positions. She holds a paralegal certificate and has also has been involved in Employee Benefits for firms in Baltimore and Columbus. She currently assists her family’s business, Molded Products, Inc., in an HR capacity.
Melinda has been involved with furthering the communities’ outreach to it’s young people through music. She has helped to prepare our young performers for Kristin Chenoweth’s Masterclasses and Bootcamps. It has been so fulfilling to see these young people grow and flourish through their love of the arts. She looks forward to expanding current programs to touch the people of our community and beyond.
VICE President
Adam J. Foreman
Adam J. Foreman is the Director of Public Relations for Broken Arrow Public Schools. For 14 years, Foreman worked as Broken Arrow Public Schools’ graphic artist and publications specialist. He also served in the launch and marketing of the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center since its inception in 2009. In 2016, he joined the Tulsa Performing Arts Center as the director of marketing where Foreman’s marketing, public relations, web and social media strategy continued to drive tourism and downtown retail for an overall economic impact of $54 billion.
Foreman graduated from Northeastern State University with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications with an emphasis in public relations, advertising, journalism and graphic design. He was inducted into the NSU Hall of Fame in 1999 (group) and 2002 (individual).
Foreman also has a passion for community engagement with board service to the Broken Arrow Arts & Humanities Council, Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center Foundation, American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, Broken Arrow Youth Board, Broken Arrow Young Professionals, BA Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation, Friends of Broken Arrow Neighbors and the Broken Arrow Historical Society.
Secretary
Kim Vento
Kim Vento, a passionate advocate for the arts and a dedicated member of her community, serves as the director of the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center, home of the Kristin Chenoweth Theatre. Growing up, Kim was immersed in the fine arts, excelling in multiple instruments, acting, and dancing. Her love for the arts led her to become a choreographer, instructor, and consultant in the world of color guard, working with drum corps and high school marching arts groups across the Midwest, earning multiple state, regional, and national titles, including two BOA Grand National Championships and being named a Winter Guard International World Championship Finalist. Kim's dedication to the arts extends beyond her professional career, as she is heavily involved in her community, volunteering through various civic groups and holding positions on several boards, including the ArtsOK Board, the Kristin Chenoweth Arts and Education Fund, the Music for All Arts Advocacy Committee, Broken Arrow Chamber Ambassadors, and the Rotary Club of Broken Arrow. She was honored with the Broken Arrow Chamber's Successful Women's Community Impact Award and is a graduate of both Leadership Broken Arrow and Leadership Arts through the Oklahoma Arts Council. Kim is committed to providing opportunities for the next generation of artists, directing the Kristin Chenoweth Broadway Bootcamp, a 10-day intensive camp that brings in students from around the world to learn from A-list Broadway professionals each summer.
Treasurer
Jeff Chism
A Certified Public Accountant for over 40 years, Jeff is a partner in the firm Brown Chism & Thompson CPA. Prior to joining the firm, he held the position of chief financial officer and controller for companies in the banking, manufacturing and construction industries in both the public and private sector. He earned two degrees from the University of Tulsa, BS in Accounting and an MBA. He joined ArtsOK as treasurer in 2013. He and his wife, Teresa, have five adult children between them and two dogs. When he is not supporting the Broken Arrow Arts, he enjoys watching sports and is a fan of TU athletics.
ADDITIONAL BOARD MEMBERS:
Ben Buie
Jerry Chenoweth
Corey Gandy
Janie Green
Justin Green
Kelley Rash
Georgia Steele
Jeremy Stevens
Patty Wilson
Lynda Wingo