Frequently asked Questions

Individuals currently employed full-time as Oklahoma public school teachers and administrators automatically receive full scholarships to OFAI upon enrollment, while supplies last. Scholarships include tuition and room and board.

Scholarships are provided by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and private donors. Additional funding is provided by the Oklahoma Arts Council.

Educators are responsible for a non-refundable $30 registration fee, and visual arts classes have a $30 studio fee. Scholarships and workshop space are administered on a first come, first served basis, so enroll as soon as possible!

Unfortunately, substitute teachers do not qualify for scholarships.

Oklahoma private school educators receive a 50% discount on OFAI tuition. Please visit our Enrollment & Workshop Rates page for more details about cost of attendance.

Please visit our Enrollment & Workshop Rates page for details about the cost of attendance.

There is no enrollment deadline. You may enroll as long as there is space available in your chosen workshop. Workshops fill quickly, so enroll as soon as possible!

FOR PUBLIC EDUCATORS: Each Oklahoma public school educator is eligible to attend one workshop on scholarship. Scholarships are not guaranteed. If no scholarships are available at the time of enrollment, you can choose a different workshop and/or be placed on the waiting lists for up to three workshops through our online enrollment system. We strongly recommend educators take advantage of the wait list system, as new scholarships often become available closer to the workshop date and many waitlisted applicants are accepted every year. Public educators may also attend by paying the discounted rate offered to private educators. But please be aware public educators who decide to enroll in a class by paying the private educator rate will not be eligible for a scholarship during the current year should one become available. Please see the Enrollment Info page for more information about fees and payments.

FOR ALL OTHERS: If the workshop of your choice is full, you can choose another workshop and/or be placed on the waiting lists for up to three workshops through our online enrollment system. We strongly recommend taking advantage of the wait list system, as openings become available every year. If a space become available in the workshop of your choice, we will contact you as soon as possible.

Most people will miss only two days of work. Participants check in between Noon and 1pm on Thursday and check out at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.

The vast majority of school districts support teachers’ OFAI attendance and provide substitutes. Local educational foundations may assist with obtaining substitutes.

Yes. Upon completion of each workshop, participants receive a certificate for 18 hours of professional development credit.

Most equipment and supplies are included in your tuition and studio fee. You may need to bring some supplies specific to your chosen workshop. Please visit the Participant Information page for supply lists.

OFAI participants will receive a weekend-specific schedule, including yoga classes and other elective activities, upon arrival to Quartz Mountain. Please view our general weekend schedule on the Participant Information page for more information.

All participants are housed in the Quartz Mountain Lodge. Guest rooms are well-appointed and include amenities such as private balconies/patios, cable television, coffeemakers, and hairdryers.

Workshop rates for non-educators come standard with a private, single-occupancy room.

Workshop rates for eductors come with a shared, double-occupancy room. If space allows, private rooms are available for educators for an additional $180 fee.

Meals are served buffet-style at the Quartz Mountain Lodge. Vegetarian options are available at each meal, and other dietary restrictions can usually be accommodated.

You can view daily menus on our Participant Information page.

Because the Oklahoma Arts Institute is charged by the lodge for all overnight guests, including those sharing participants’ rooms, the OAI office must be notified of all guests. Participants wishing to bring and share a room with a non-participant guest may do so at an additional cost. Participants bringing non-participant guests are responsible for paying the $180 private room fee (for those whose registration did not include a private room), in addition to the necessary guest fees. All guest fees include lodging and meals for the duration of the weekend.  If the guest is an adult (18 or over), the fee is an additional $120; if the guest is a child (ages 3-17), the fee is an additional $40.

Unattended children are not allowed at OFAI, and children may not attend classes. Guests not staying overnight may dine in the lodge dining room at their own expense; meal tickets are available for purchase at the front desk of the lodge. Although guests are never allowed to attend classes at OFAI, they are welcome to attend faculty presentations and electives outside of class.

Please visit our Directions page for maps and detailed instructions.

OAI recognizes that COVID-19 still presents a significant concern. OAI will continue to track and refine its contagious illness policy in accordance with federal, state, and industry guidelines in order to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the OFAI community. Participants are strongly encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine prior to OFAI, as the vaccine is very effective for preventing the spread and serious illness of COVID-19.