Oklahoma Arts Council Provides Funding for Drum Roots Program

The Percussive Arts Society (PAS) is pleased to announce that it has received a $1,725 grant from the Oklahoma Arts Council. The grant was used to help fund 15 sessions of the society’s Drum Roots program in Lawton elementary schools during September.

“Thanks to the Oklahoma Arts Council, we are able to offer the PAS Drum Roots program to 300 children in Woodland Hills and Park Lane Elementary Schools this fall,” said PAS Executive Director Michael Kenyon.

Drum Roots is an interactive hand drumming program with arts education, music appreciation and wellness benefits. Presented by Lawton percussionist Jim Harris, the sessions provide exposure to basic rhythmic principles with a brief history of the origins of music in various cultural and performance settings.

PAS launched the program in 2003 to complement existing community programs that are focused on arts education and/or mental and physical health and wellness. The program encourages social interaction and cooperation, and enhances coordination, esteem building, wellness and learning.

The Oklahoma Arts Council is a state agency whose mission is to improve lives through the arts by promoting and sustaining the development of a thriving arts environment, which is essential to quality of life, education and economic vitality for all Oklahomans. Funding for the Oklahoma Arts Council and its programs is provided by the State of Oklahoma and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.