Chickasaw Arts Academy

This unique academy emphasizes Chickasaw and other Southeastern Native American cultures and tribal aesthetics through the fine and performing arts. Students are immersed in an exploration of various artistic fields, career preparatory programming and student-oriented skill development.

Tailored for aspiring artists, participants are presented opportunities in:

2D drawing
2D painting
3D art
Fashion design
Culinary art
Dance
Digital art
Music industry
On-camera acting

Photography
Printmaking
Technical theater
Traditional theater
Traditional pottery
Video production
Vocal music
Other subjects

All arts academy sessions take place at East Central University (ECU) in Ada, Oklahoma.

Attending the summer session of the academy is a prerequisite for the fall and spring session and any additional sessions offered by the Chickasaw Arts Academy.

Application deadline is May 25.

2022 Summer Session

Students are divided into the following programs to accommodate specific ages and skill levels:

Starting Arts Rotation (STAR) (ages 8-10)

Orientation for students, parents and faculty, July 9
Academy, July 11-15

The one-week experience will culminate with an arts gala highlighting student work and a performing arts showcase Friday, July 15, at ECU, located at 1100 E. 14th St., Ada, Oklahoma.

Academy activities for this age group takes place during the day. Housing and transportation is not provided.

Intermediate (ages 11-13) and Majors (ages 14*-18)

Orientation for students, parents and faculty, July 16
Academy, July 18-22

The summer session will conclude Friday, July 22 with an arts gala to showcase student work with visual art pieces, culinary creations and a showcase incorporating all of the performing arts disciplines into a final production at ECU.

Transportation is not provided. Intermediate academy sessions take place during the day.

Ages 14-18 may stay overnight on campus. Housing is provided for students ages 14-18.

* To attend the majors academy, students must be age 14 by July 16.

You Provide

Completed application
Read and review all policies and agreements carefully. Arts academy policies are located on this page for your convenience
Resumes, portfolios and report cards are not required
Once students are accepted into the program, the following items must be completed and returned by June 15, 2022, to complete the application process and confirm the student’s attendance:
- Consent form
To best serve the needs of our students, please disclose any pertinent developmental and/or behavioral conditions so that accommodations or arrangements can be made prior to academy

Eligibility

Chickasaw citizen or dependent of a Chickasaw citizen, previous attendees
Applicants of the STAR program must be between the ages of 8-10 on July 9, 2022
To participate in the intermediate program, applicants must be between the ages of 11-13 on July 16, 2022
To participate in the majors program, applicants must be age 14 by the beginning of the summer session, July 16, 2022
If accepted, students must be willing to commit to the entire length of the session
Students should have appropriate communication skills respective to their age, based on standard educational training