The Fine Arts Institute is Edmond's non-profit community arts organization offering educational enrichment for adults and children in the visual and performing arts.
Fine Arts Institute of Edmond
P.O. Box 311
(405) 340-4481
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About Us
IT STARTED WITH A CONVERSATION…
…between four mothers in 1985. They were watching their daughters in a gymnastics meet and voiced that their children were not getting enough art in elementary school. From that conversation, they took action: applied for a non-profit 501c3 status with the state; wrote some bylaws, established a board of directors; and founded the Fine Arts Institute of Edmond.
Nancy Effron, June McCoy, Gae Rees and Bonnie Smith, the FAI founders, had a dream and made it a reality in 1985 by teaching art and music in one classroom at an Edmond church. Art supplies were kept in the trunks of their cars and enrollment was taken from an answering machine in the Rees home. That first year they had about 90 students and the Fine Arts Institute was on its way.
Today The Fine Arts Institute of Edmond is housed in its own 8,000 square foot beautiful building in a great location across the street north from the downtown post office. Over 3,300 students took in-house classes during 2007-08. Class curriculum includes: drawing, painting, clay, pottery, theatre arts, mixed media, printmaking, jewelry design, stained glass, seasonal art, and more.The FAI sponsors the Edmond Youth Chorus, two children’s plays, the statewide Fine Arts & Literature Academic meet, a statewide Youth Impressions juried art show and features a new exhibit each month in its gallery.
“Our motto is ‘all ages and all stages’ and we start with creative elementary classes for preschoolers and have outstanding in-depth adult classes as well,” states Mitzi Hancuff, now in her 21st year as Executive Director.
The Fine Arts Institute is a financially sound and well respected non profit organization. Strong partnerships, expanding cultural programming, and record-breaking enrollment continues. The Edmond community has embraced the Institute for over 23 years with students and corporate and individual patrons.
Lead by an outstanding board of directors of Edmond’s finest leaders, a talented and certified faculty, and dedicated staff, the Fine Arts Institute looks to the future to continue to provide cultural enrichment for our community.
Our Mission Statement
The Fine Arts Institute is Edmond's non-profit organization offering instruction to youth and adults in the visual and performing arts. The Institute encourages independent expression and hands-on experiences. A student/teacher ratio of 12:1 insures individualized ability development.
Class Information
All Classes are open to students pre-school through adults, regardless of race, color, creed or disability at 27 E Edwards, Edmond. View our dynamic map.
- Class size is limited so call early to reserve your child's spot.
- Materials: The Institute provides all materials unless indicated in the class description.
- Tuition: TUITION DUE UPON ENROLLMENT. We accept checks, cash, Visa or Mastercard. Only after payment is received, is enrollment guaranteed. Enrolled students are expected to attend all classes. No makeup classes are offered for student absences. Class tuition will not be prorated. A $25 service fee will be charged for returned checks. Occasionally, an instructor might have an emergency and must miss class. Should this occur, the instructor will make up the class at an alternate time convenient for the instructor and students. FAI reserves the right to substitute instructors and students will be notified if time allows.
- Refunds: A refund or credit (minus $10 administrative fee) will be issued if the student drops the class three working days prior to the first class. All FAI classes are based on a minimum of 5 students. Should the class not reach the minimum of 5 students, the FAI reserves the right to cancel the class and all students receive a full refund or credit.
- Discount: A $100 membership to the Fine Arts Institute allows students a 10% discount on classes. Join today!
Please do not drop off students more than 5 minutes prior to a class starting. Please pick up students promptly. Thank you for your cooperation.
Parents & Students
Occasionally students' photos are taken for publicity purposes. Please let us know if this is not agreeable.
We encourage FAI children to do their own work. FAI policy is that parents do not join children in the classroom. Thank you for understanding.
Fine Arts Institute Enriches Curriculum, Lives (con't from homepage)
Mitzi Hancuff, FAI's director, considers those four women (Bonnie Smith, Gae Rees, Nancy Effron and June McCoy) not only pioneers but heroes because they have made a lasting contribution to the community of Edmond.
A non-profit community organization, FAI offers educational enrichment for adults and children in the visual and performing arts. Its goals include offering quality art classes, cultural events, workshops, and year round programs for children and adults. Cirriculum includes: drawing, painting, clay, mixed media, printmaking, preschool art, theatre, a youth's chorus, stained & fused glass, pottery and sculpture, home school art, and teen adult studio. All classes and activities are open to students regardless of race, color, creed or disability, and student/teacher ratio of 12:1 permits students to receive individualized attention. Scholarships are offered for those students who qualify, who have shown an interst in art and who participate in the public school free-lunch program.
FAI HISTORY.....
IT STARTED WITH A CONVERSATION…
…between four mothers in 1985. They were watching their daughters in a gymnastics meet and voiced that their children were not getting enough art in elementary school. From that conversation, they took action: applied for a non-profit 501c3 status with the state; wrote some bylaws, established a board of directors; and founded the Fine Arts Institute of Edmond.
Nancy Effron, June McCoy, Gae Rees and Bonnie Smith, the FAI founders, had a dream and made it a reality in 1985 by teaching art and music in one classroom at an Edmond church. Art supplies were kept in the trunks of their cars and enrollment was taken from an answering machine in the Rees home. That first year they had about 90 students and the Fine Arts Institute was on its way.
Today The Fine Arts Institute of Edmond is housed in its own 8,000 square foot beautiful building in a great locationacross the street north from the downtown post office. Over 3,300 students took in-house classes during 2007-08. Class curriculum includes: drawing, painting, clay, pottery, theatre arts, mixed media, printmaking, jewelry design, stained glass, seasonal art, and more. The FAI sponsors the Edmond Youth Chorus, two children’s plays, the statewide Fine Arts & Literature Academic meet, a statewide Youth Impressions juried art show and features a new exhibit each month in its gallery.
“Our motto is ‘all ages and all stages’ and we start with creative elementary classes for preschoolers and have outstanding in-depth adult classes as well,” states Mitzi Hancuff, now in her 21st year as Executive Director.
The Fine Arts Institute is a financially sound and well respected non profit organization. Strong partnerships, expanding cultural programming, and record-breaking enrollment continues. The Edmond community has embraced the Institute for over 23 years with students and corporate and individual patrons.
Lead by an outstanding board of directors of Edmond’s finest leaders, a talented and certified faculty, and dedicated staff, the Fine Arts Institute looks to the future to continue to provide cultural enrichment for our community.