Religion & the Arts in Oklahoma

The history of Oklahoma is an epic of conflict, diverse cultures and change over time. In its early era, Oklahoma reflected the culture of Native Americans. Immigrants entered the region and brought their own heritage that changed as the area evolved into the Sooner State. White Americans, African-Americans, Poles, Czechs, Italians, Russians, Germans, Asians and Hispanics--all contributed to the modern cultural life of Oklahoma. 

Within the mix, one also finds diversity in the religious community. Baptists and Methodists are most numerous, but Catholics, Congregationalists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Pentecostals, Mennonites and Lutherans are represented. Oklahomans are members of the Church of Christ and the Christian Church. The state is also home to a Jewish community and the Greek Orthodox Church as well as other faiths. Notably, many Indians practice their native religion. They attend their own festivals and observe the Ghost Dance, the Sun Dance and other religious rituals handed down through history by their forefathers.

Many Oklahomans have made significant contributions to literature, music and other creative arts. Kiowa novelist and poet N. Scott Momaday won the Pulitzer Prize in fiction for his House Made of Dawn. Lynn Riggs wrote Green Grow the Lilacs. It became the basis for the Rodgers and Hammerstein  musical Oklahoma!, which has become the official state song. In an earlier era, Oklahoma�s favorite son, Will Rogers, attained fame as an all-around performer and writer. Woody Guthrie, songwriter and singer, touched many hearts with his depression-era ballads about hard times. 

The historian Angie Debo, who died in 1988, achieved national recognition for her many books on the history of Oklahoma�s Native Americans. Oklahoma African-American Melvin Tolson became known for his poetry and his writings on the black community. Another black writer was Oklahoma City�s Ralph Ellison. He was a teacher and lecturer on black history and culture. He became best known for his award-winning novel Invisible Man.

Oklahomans are likewise represented in the fine performing arts. The state has been home to five internationally famous ballerinas of Native American heritage. Maria Tallchief performed for the New York City Ballet and founded the Chicago City Ballet. Her sister, Marjorie, performed with the Paris, France Ballet. Yvonne Chouteau, Moscelyne Larkin and Rozella Hightower also became world-famous ballerinas.

Several Oklahoma cities and towns sport their own local symphony orchestras. They include the Oklahoma City Symphony, the Tulsa Philharmonic and the Lawton Symphony. Enid�s Tri-State Music Festival attracts young people from all over the world. Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma have excellent music departments that have trained hundreds of performers.

Oklahoma has many fine museums. They help preserve the state�s past. The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History and the University of Oklahoma�s Fred Jones, Jr. Museum of Art are in Norman. The Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art and the Philbrook Art Center are in Tulsa. Oklahoma City has the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, which includes the National Rodeo Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma City Art Museum. Other notable museums are Claremore�s Will Rogers Memorial Museum, the Ponca City�s Pioneer Woman Museum, Tahlequah�s Cherokee National Museum, Okmulgee�s Creek Indian Museum, Muskogee�s Five Civilized Tribes Museum. The Oklahoma Aquarium opened in 2003 in Jenks.

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