Her selection was based on ‘students who showed the greatest promise’
Newcastle High School student Allison Hill is preparing to take her passion for, and carry-through of, creative writing to a new level.
Allison was selected to attend the 50th Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain, considered the state’s premier arts education program.
Newcastle High School National Board Certified English teacher Andrea Thomas said, “Allison stood out among a large pool of applicants. Her selection was based on merit, with experienced educators and professional writers reviewing submissions and choosing students who show the greatest promise.”
She was among 800 high school students from across Oklahoma who auditioned for the competitive program. Only 230 students were chosen to attend the June 13-28 Insitute.
“Earning a place at the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute is a significant achievement, where acceptance reflects a high level of talent and dedication,” Thomas said. “For Allison, the opportunity marks an important step in her development, as she aspires to be a writer and a teacher in the future.”
Allison will be a part of intensive, college-level instruction for her creative writing, Thomas said. All of the students applying were required to do so months in advance and demonstrated exceptional skill in their chosen field. Thomas said the creative writing program only accepts 16 students each year from across the state.
“Applicants must submit a carefully curated portfolio of their work, often including poetry, short stories, or personal essays, showcasing both technical ability and a distinct creative voice,” Thomas said.
While at the institute, Allison will participate in daily workshops, receive one-on-one feedback from instructors, and collaborate with peers who share their passion for the arts.
“The experience is both challenging and rewarding, pushing students to refine their craft and explore new creative possibilities,” Thomas said.
More about the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute Approaching its 50th anniversary summer, OSAI has built a legacy of alumni who have gone on to national and international acclaim, including actor, writer, and filmmaker Tim Blake Nelson and Emmy Award-winning actress Megan Mullally.
Participants specialize in one of eight disciplines across the literary, visual, and performing arts, while also experiencing cross-disciplinary collaboration in the inspiring natural setting of Quartz Mountain. During the two-week residential program, students receive intensive, collegiate-level instruction and mentorship from distinguished teaching artists from around the world. Among the extraordinary 2026 faculty teaching artists is conductor Liza Grossman, creative director and conductor of the Kaboom Studio Orchestra in Cleveland, Ohio. Grossman also serves as tour conductor for Styx and has collaborated with artists including Melissa Etheridge, Ben Folds, and Graham Nash. Joining Grossman is poet Dave Lucas, who served as the Poet Laureate of the State of Ohio from 2018-2019.
ARTS INSTITUTE: Every student selected to attend receives $4,200 scholarship
“I came to Oklahoma to teach creative writing. I never expected to learn so much — about acting and filmmaking, music, dance, photography, drawing and painting, and about my own craft,” said Lucas after teaching at OSAI in 2021. “I left every class meeting, faculty showcase, and student presentation feeling enriched by the other art forms and artists — and feeling challenged to work harder at my own.”
A hallmark of OSAI is its commitment to accessibility. Every student selected to attend receives a full scholarship, valued at over $4,200. Major funding is provided by private donors secured by the Oklahoma Arts Institute, with matching funds from the Oklahoma State Department of Education, the Oklahoma Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Oklahoma Arts Council receives support from the State of Oklahoma and the National Endowment for the Arts.
OSAI is recognized by the state legislature as Oklahoma’s Official School of the Arts, empowering young artists to refine their craft, expand their creative horizons, and join a statewide network of accomplished alumni.
