Enriching lives through the arts.

Shortt Dogg Performance at Arts Council OKC Summer Twilight Concert Series

Fighting for arts and funding 40+ agencies.

Nearly $87M impact and growing since 1971

But we do more than raise money. We advocate for the arts. We promote arts education – and raise awareness of its impact in our schools, communities and state. And to keep our network of cultural nonprofits strong, we offer many levels of technical and organizational support.

the project

Allied Arts was formed in 1971 as a way for the community to support and engage with central Oklahoma’s cultural groups.

Our annual campaign raises critical funding for nonprofit arts organizations throughout the community. From corporations and foundations to nonprofits and people just like you, everyone can make a difference. Funding helps local arts organizations with their operating, program and educational budgets. Allied Arts also helps organizations keep ticket prices low – and offer free events – so more people community-wide can experience the arts. Creating hands-on arts education for schoolchildren across the state is also possible because of campaign funding.

Our Mission

Enriching lives through advancement of the arts.

Our Vision

To be the driving force for the arts in Oklahoma’s dynamic growth.

MEET THE STAFF
Sunny Cearley
President & CEO
sunny.cearley@alliedartsokc.com

Sunny Cearley serves as President/CEO for Allied Arts. Cearley came to Allied Arts from her role as Senior Vice President of Membership for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. Prior to that, she spent almost a decade leading sales efforts for The Journal Record Publishing Company. Before working in the arts full-time, Cearley sat on the executive committee for The Civic Center Foundation and on the advisory board for El Sistema Oklahoma. She is passionate about the fact that art improves the quality of life and supports economic development in our community. Cearley holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Baylor University and a Master of Journalism from the University of North Texas. She is graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City Class 30 and LOYAL Class III.

Jennifer Bryan
CAMPAIGN & GRANTS DIRECTOR
jennifer.bryan@alliedartsokc.com

Jennifer oversees the Allied Arts annual fundraising campaign and manages the organization’s grant programs. Originally from New Orleans, Jennifer enjoys spending time with family, friends and her Jack Russell Terrier, traveling to her favorite places, and cheering on her favorite sports teams. As a proud graduate of Louisiana State University, she can often be seen wearing purple and gold while saying her favorite phrase, “Geaux Tigers!”

Robert Schultheis
FINANCE DIRECTOR
robert.schultheis@alliedartsokc.com

Rob oversees finance, business planning, budgeting and human resources for Allied Arts. He has an M.B.A. in Finance & Marketing and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Colorado/Boulder. When not shuttling the kids between theater rehearsals and sports practices, Rob enjoys traveling, savoring good wine, and watching college football. He and his wife Jaime have two children, Charlie and Sawyer.

Ciarra Kelly
Database/Reporting Associate
ciarra.kelly@alliedartsokc.com

Ciarra Kelly serves as the Database/Reporting Associate at Allied Arts. Before serving in this position, Ciarra was involved in Life Change Ballroom Academy, a non-profit organization which was an Allied Arts grantee. Experiencing firsthand how the arts shaped her life, she wants to make sure she does her part in shaping others through the arts. With her two beautiful children, Ashton and Avaiyah, Ciarra enjoys serving the community with her church and loves visiting close relatives.

Courtney Lavender
Events Manager
courtney.lavender@alliedartsokc.com

Courtney serves as the Events Manager for Allied Arts. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance and a minor in Non-Profit Management. Courtney loves spending time with her family, especially her Labrador Retriever. When she’s not planning Allied Arts’ next event, you can find Courtney relaxing with friends, trying something new, or traveling.

Enid Hennen
Employee Giving Associate & OKCityCard Manager
enid.weldon@alliedartsokc.com

Enid serves as Employee Giving Associate and manager of the OKCityCard for Allied Arts. She has degrees in Percussion Performance from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and taught for eight years in the roles of band director, general music teacher and art teacher. Enid enjoys traveling, hiking, playing music, and making art for friends and family.

Jenyann Roig
Communications Manager
jenyann.roig@alliedartsokc.com

Jenyann Roig is an Emmy Award-winning writer and works as the Communications Manager for Allied Arts. Prior to joining the team, Jenyann worked as a journalist in Oklahoma for 12 years. When she’s not working, you can catch her at a Thunder game or exploring all the amazing things Oklahoma City has to offer.

Joseph Messick
Finance Associate
joseph.messick@alliedartsokc.com

Joseph processes payments and conducts research. An Oklahoma City boy, born and raised, Joseph has a BMA in viola performance from DePauw University School of Music as well as his MM in viola performance and MA in Nonprofit Leadership - Arts Administration from Oklahoma City University. In his off hours, Joseph enjoys playing video games, researching Ludomusicology (study of video game music), and performing with Mariachi Orgullo de America as well as the Oklahoma Chamber Symphony.

Nicole Wayne
Executive Assistant & Board Liaison
nicole.wayne@alliedartsokc.com

Nicole serves as the Executive Assistant to the President and CEO as well as the Allied Arts Board of Directors Liaison. Prior to joining Allied Arts, Nicole served as the Executive Assistant to the President and CEO, and the Manager of Executive Administration at The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits. Nicole is married to her husband, Kenneth and together they have one fur-baby, Gracie Mae (who doesn’t know she is a canine). When Nicole isn't working, she is most likely shopping at Target, snuggling with Gracie, binging a show with her husband or aimlessly climbing the stair-stepper at the gym.

Shannon Lockwood
Employee Giving Manager
shannon.lockwood@alliedartsokc.com

Shannon manages the employee giving program. She grew up in Edmond and earned a degree in Music Education from OU. She is a percussionist and spent the first 12 years of her career teaching 6th through 12th grade band. Shannon is married to a caring and hard-working man, and she has one cat and two giant fluffy dogs. She is a vegetarian, loves the beach, and enjoys exercising daily. Her life goal is to leave people and things better than she found them.

Jordin Burns
Chief of Technology & Projects
jordin.burns@alliedartsokc.com

Jordin Burns serves as the Chief of Technology & Projects for Allied Arts. Jordin has a Bachelor of Science in IT from Western Governors University with a minor in Information Systems. He is a proud US Air Force veteran who served his country for over 10 years with extensive community service and outreach. When he’s not troubleshooting at Allied Arts, Jordin enjoys spending time with his family (wife Andrea, daughter Zara), watching sports, and cooking. Jordin's favorite saying is “Live.Love.Laugh.Sports!"

Jennifer Bryan
CAMPAIGN & GRANTS DIRECTOR
jennifer.bryan@alliedartsokc.com

Jennifer oversees the Allied Arts annual fundraising campaign and manages the organization’s grant programs. Originally from New Orleans, Jennifer enjoys spending time with family, friends and her Jack Russell Terrier, traveling to her favorite places, and cheering on her favorite sports teams. As a proud graduate of Louisiana State University, she can often be seen wearing purple and gold while saying her favorite phrase, “Geaux Tigers!”

OUR BOARD MEMBERS

2022-2023 Board of Directors

Executive Committee
  • Chair:
    Glen Maynard
  • Vice Chair:
    Aimee Harlow
  • Secretary:
    Grant DeFehr
  • Treasurer:
    Max Myers
  • 2023 Campaign Co-Chair:
  • Hillary Farrell
  • 2023 Campaign Co-Chair:
    Peter Farrell
  • 2023 Honorary Chair:
    Bill Lance
  • 2023 Honorary Chair:
    Sherri Lance
  • Affiliated Fund/Advocacy Trustee:
    Lou C. Kerr
  • Allocations Chair:
    Debbie Nauser
  • Allocations Finance & At Risk Process Chair:
    Grant DeFehr
  • At-Risk Process Chair:
    Lonny Towell
  • Board Management & Engagement Chair:
    Michael Laird
  • Branding/Marketing Chair:
    Hillary Farrell
  • Education & Small Grants Chair:
    Mims Talton
  • Events Chair:
    Valerie Naifeh
  • HR/DEI/Succession Planning Chair:
    Heather Wilson
  • Immediate Past Chair:
    Steve Mason
  • Planned Giving Chair:
    Paul Dudman
  • Strategic Planning Chair:
    David Woods
  • Technology Chair:
    Chuck Thompson
  • Workplace/OKCityCard Chair:
    Jim Kessler
  • Member At Large:
    Russ Harrison
  • Member At Large:
    Gail Huneryager
  • Member at Large:
    D. Benham Kirk
  • Member At Large:
    Tori Perry
  • Member At Large:
    James A. Pickel
  • Member At Large:
    Taylor Shinn
  • Member At Large:
    C. Renzi Stone
  • Member At Large:
    Lonny Towell
  • Member At Large:
    Mike Turpen
Board
  • Alex Bagby
  • Julie Beffort
  • Mark Beffort
  • Craig Boelte
  • Tyler Bolton
  • Cordell Brown
  • Cathy Busey
  • Gabrielle Butler
  • Brian Byrnes
  • Kelly Caviness
  • Jerry Chenoweth
  • Kati Christ
  • Jason Constable
  • Amy Davis
  • Grant DeFehr
  • Paul Dudman
  • Rodney England
  • Christy Everest *
  • Jim Everest *
  • Joshua Fahrenbruck
  • Hillary Farrell
  • Polly Fleet
  • Marla Freeman
  • Mark Funke*
  • Ashley Gockstetter
  • Bailey Gordon
  • Edward Patrick Gray
  • Jennifer Gray
  • Jeffrey Groves
  • Betsy Guthrie-Brunsteter
  • Linda C. Haneborg *
  • Aimee Harlow
  • Dana Harper
  • Russ Harrison
  • Judy Hatfield *
  • Morgan Henry
  • Jorge Hernandez
  • John Higginbotham
  • Karin Holsted
  • David Holt **
  • Gail Huneryager
  • Jerry Hunter
  • Scott Inman
  • Sunil Isaac
  • Tommie Johnson
  • Ann Johnstone *
  • Stephen Keenan
  • Lou C. Kerr
  • Jim Kessler
  • D. Benham Kirk
  • Debra Kos
  • Michael Laird
  • Harrison Levy *
  • Judy Love *
  • Lisa Love
  • Paula Love
  • Joan S. Maguire *
  • Steve Mason
  • Glen Maynard
  • Jere W. McKenny *
  • Beth McLaughlin
  • Geron Morgan
  • Max Myers
  • Valerie Naifeh
  • Randy Nance
  • Debbie Nauser
  • Collins Peck
  • Tori Perry
  • James A. Pickel
  • Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell
  • Frederick Redwine
  • Nathan Rice
  • Jennifer Schultz
  • Taylor Shinn
  • Blair Sims
  • Lee Allan Smith*
  • Sage Smith
  • Danny Stith
  • C. Renzi Stone
  • Steven Sylke
  • Suzie Symcox
  • Mims Talton
  • Chuck Thompson
  • Debbie Thompson
  • Lonny Towell
  • Carol Troy*
  • Claire Turmelle
  • Mike Turpen
  • Usha Turner
  • Alba Weaver
  • Marcus Whitworth
  • Roy Williams **
  • Heather Wilson
  • Jeff Wilson
  • David Woods
*Denotes Honorary
**Denotes Ex-officio
for OUR BOARD MEMBERS

No Board events this month!

careers

Paid Internship

To provide interns an engaging and valuable experience within our organization and gain an understanding of how a nonprofit organization operates on a daily basis.

LATEST NEWS
Allied Arts Exceeds 2023 Campaign Goal of $3.6 Million
Announcement of Transformational $10 Million Investment of ARPA Funding in Arts and Cultural Sector
May 26, 2023
Allied Arts Announces 2023 ARTini
Allied Arts is gearing up for ARTini, the annual martini-tasting event and art auction that raises critical funds for the arts. This year’s event will have a “Roaring 20s” theme to celebrate 20 years of ARTini.
Learn more
Allied Arts Launches Annual Campaign for the Arts
ALLIED ARTS LAUNCHES ANNUAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE ARTS
Learn more