The Artist Entrepreneur Program (AEP) is a cohort of twenty Oklahoma City creatives with artistic businesses in the fields of visual arts, music, dance, and theater. Over the course of 10 weeks, participants learn about topics such as business plans, legal compliance, accounting, marketing, grant writing, developing pitches, and more. Participants who successfully complete the program will each be eligible to apply for a $5,000 grant to implement their creative business plan. |
THE 2024 COHORT
Neí Bass
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Aroma Dance Company is a faith-based organization dedicated to spreading the love of Jesus through the creative arts. They actively seek opportunities to inspire and connect with both their local community and global audiences. | Lindsey Cox
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stepmom is an orchestral dream punk band from Oklahoma City. Their unique sound blends dreamy harmonies, ambient cello and synth, with angsty guitar riffs and powerful lead vocals. This fusion captures the essence of disillusionment felt by many seeking meaning in a distorted reality. The band is the creative brainchild of lead singer and guitarist Lindsey Cox, whose vision is brought to life with the help of musical collaborators: Cheyenne McCoy on bass and cello, Amie Reardon on drums and oboe, and Bailey Pelletier on synth and keys. | Bee Doublehue
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Write Out Da Box specializes in fine visual art, music production, and audio engineering. Led by B. Williams, the company is dedicated to producing unique, handcrafted works of art and providing detailed and caring music services. With a commitment to creativity and quality, Write Out Da Box aims to inspire and engage audiences through innovative projects and exceptional craftsmanship. By leveraging a diverse skill set and an expectation of excellence. Write Out Da Box stands out as a multifaceted enterprise dedicated to pushing the boundaries of art. |
Josh Jaiye Farrell
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Oklahoma-based artist Jaiye Farrell cultivated his style of painting from abstract patterns that transcend societal and cultural divides and remember the communal roots of humanity. From an infatuation with archeology emerged a creative and ambitious talent: to craft signature designs that inspire self-reflection and wonder. | Sheila Guffey
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Sheila Guffey Art Outreach offers fine art classes and consulting services tailored to benefit adults living in senior living facilities, including independent and assisted living, nursing homes, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, and memory care centers. | Lincka
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Lincka is opening up a New Chicanx Owned, Music Studio to record/produce Latinx POC Artists in Oklahoma City and touring bands alike! This will be a place where Brown Artists can have a space to freely and safely explore their artistry. There is currently no space like this in Oklahoma City and we cannot wait any longer. Being a Chicana Pop Artist in OKC, Lincka has always had Chican fans come up to them with such excitement to tell them they are an inspiration to them. |
LOLAFREAKINKITTY
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LOLAFREAKINKITTY (LFKY) is a semi realistic artist that lives to create, she grew up taking art classes since elementary school and found herself majoring in studio art in college. | Clarence Long III
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Clarence Long Photography offers gallery-styled, fine art prints of macro, nature, and abstract photography for art collectors, homeowners, and businesses. With over 8 years of meticulously crafted photography experience and partnering with internationally recognized photo print labs, Clarence Long Photography strives to provide some of the highest quality fine art prints on the market. Clarence's mission is to showcase the true beauty of our world through his artistic vision of natural and abstract subjects that allow the viewer to have a greater appreciation for the beauty of life. | Emily Madden
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Thready Or Knot Upholstery and Design is a small female owned and run shop in the heart of OKC seeking to breathe new life into their clients most cherished furniture with a mission of reminding people of how important functional art is and the energy thoughtfully curated and crafted furniture can bring to a space. |
Tiffany McKnight
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Tiffany McKnight is an Oklahoma City-based artist, speaker, and consultant focused on empowering creatives through public art and community building. Since 2020, she’s created murals for Plaza Walls, Sunny Dayz Mural Fest, With Love OKC and more. Awarded a THRIVE Grant in 2021, Tiffany produced a community project and art book via her company, People by People. Recently, she completed her largest mural at Norman’s Adult Wellness & Education Center, continuing her mission to forge authentic connections and make her mark as an emerging Black female designer. | Nia Moné
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Nia Moné is a singer songwriter based in OKC. She is known for her live performances, including her full band and dancers. She performed at Many local festivals and venues and is the first performer to perform at Beer City Music Hall. | Erick Perry
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HOMADE Studios is an atelier for Erick Perry who produces conceptual artworks through photography, film and more. |
Santiago Ramones
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Santiago Ramones is a composer, podcaster, producer, songwriter, and performer. He makes all kinds of music, shifting to follow the intention that best serves the music. He is a composer first, meaning he puts music together for it to be played later, be it by him, other musicians, the computer, or a combination of them all. He also does audio freelance services - he does sound for weddings and other events, is an audio engineer, has a PA system, and produces audio for multimedia projects. | Klint Schor
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Klint Schor has been a self-employed artisan for the past 20 years fabricating sculpture and objects for both public and private commissions. | Denae Smith
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The Creative Oasis project is an ongoing endeavor to build a professional business that supports both emerging and established artists including mentoring youth, promoting cultural inclusion, and expanding artistic skills. By offering continuous programs and growth opportunities, it aims to aid young talents and help seasoned artists advance their careers while fostering a diverse and inclusive artistic community. |
Topatío
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Topatío is a Queer Latinx Drag artist in the state, who has spent a majority of their career changing the arena of what it means to do gender expressive art through their performances, show producing ability ; curation of casts and stages. They work in local community, dedicating themselves to the work that elevates and legitimizes drag - bringing it to locals and updating their city on what drag is for their generation. Whilst pulling from queer history and ancestry, Topatío constantly aims to create something new and original, pushing POC + Trans artist to the forefront. | Traxler
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Traxler is a multi-disciplinary artist specializing painting and mixed media visual arts, fashion design, and neo-classical music and hip hop. | Chandler Watson
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Chandler Watson is a photographer, visual artist and stand-up comedian based out of Oklahoma City. In 2016 he went to Los Angeles to pursue comedy. During his time in LA he discovered his love for street photography and fine art. He began honing his skills so that he can one day open his own gallery, while having his art and photographs shown around the world. In 2021 Chandler was a commissioned to create a mural which would go on to be made into a Day in McAlester Oklahoma. August 19th is Marshall in Motion day. |
Juanita Williams
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Salt is essential for both the function and enjoyment of life. Salted Performing Arts creates immersive art and develops artists for eternal change, bringing hope and joy into a chaotic world. | Taylor Young
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Taylor Young’s art merges sacred imagery with contemporary themes, inspired by iconic symbols and global travels. His paintings, crafted on cotton paper with watercolor, gouache, and gold acrylics, blend divine and earthly narratives. Young’s work explores mythology, sacred geometry, and personal experiences, challenging traditional symbolism with themes of rebirth and protection. As a queer artist, identity influences his art, inviting viewers to engage with the intersections of the mundane and the transcendent. His compositions, rich with vibrant hues and emotional depth, offer an inquiry into existence, encouraging reflection on the complexities of life and the beauty of the human condition. |
PROGRAM PARTNERS