Mission Statement

The Mission of the Arts and Humanities Division is to encourage and promote artistic expression and diversity in the City of Lawton.

About the Arts and Humanities Division Office 

Vision Statement: To create an enduring artistic and cultural community. 

The Arts and Humanities Office, located on the west side of McMahon Memorial Auditorium, is led by Administrator Jason Poudrier and Deputy Administrator Andrea Mormon. Their staff includes Community Events & Outreach Coordinator Michell Rosario, Digital Media & Records Assistant Haley Moore, Theatrical Technical Coordinator Ashlin Penn, Maintenance Technician Broderick Jackson II,  House Manager Stavis Morman and Maintenance Technician Manuel Smith Jr.

The Arts and Humanities Office supports the City of Lawton’s cultural endeavors and the arts and humanities industries in the area, such as organizations, individuals, businesses, and other governmental agencies. Our division manages the McMahon Memorial Auditorium, the City of Lawton’s art collection, assists the various City of Lawton boards and trusts that foster the arts and humanities, and serves as the point of contact for Film, Music & Video Production Support. 

Our office also provides outreach to individuals, organizations, and businesses that support the arts in Lawton, including marketing/promotional support and consultation services that build capacity in program development, securing resources, community engagement, and more. 

For more information about arts and humanities events and programs happening in Lawton, visit our website swokarts.com

The Arts and Humanities Division is surveying residents about events and programs they would like to see presented in the community. Responses will inform our work to bring more amenities to our city. Complete our brief survey here.

Learn about the latest news from our division in our Lawton Arts Review newsletter here.

Projects by the Arts and Humanities Division and McMahon Memorial Auditorium are supported partly by the Oklahoma Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Oklahoma and the National Endowment for the Arts.

 

Arts and Humanities

Homepage
Phone

(580) 581-3470

Fax

(580) 581-3473

Address

801 NW Ferris Ave
(Mail: PO Box 1054 - Lawton, OK. 73502)
Lawton, OK73507
United States

Hours

8-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, Closed Weekends

Send us a message

McMahon Memorial Auditorium

The McMahon Memorial Auditorium provides the City of Lawton with a venue for hosting concerts and cultural enrichment activities.

Learn more!
mcmahon auditorium exterior

About Us

We believe that the arts translate easily into economic growth 

A study by Americans for the Arts (Arts & Economic Prosperity 5)  provides evidence that the nonprofit arts and culture sector is a significant industry in the State of Oklahoma - one that generates $872.8 million in total economic activity. 

This spending - $331.2 million by nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and an additional $541.6 million in event-related spending by their audiences - supports 29,165 full-time equivalent jobs, generating $588.2 million in household income to local residents, and delivers $84.5 million in local and state government revenue.

This economic impact study sends a strong signal that when we support the arts, we not only enhance our quality of life but also invest in the State of Oklahoma’s economic well-being. Read the full report here.

Learn more about how the arts support our local communities and state through Oklahoma Arts Council and 

Oklahomans for the Arts.

As humans, artistic and humanistic pursuits come naturally and take part in all of our lives. Our brains are hard wired for creativity, curiosity, and contemplation. 

In 1965, the U.S. Congress established the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)

The easiest to understand the distinction is if you think of the arts as centralizing on the aesthetic experience ones artwork, such as a painting, a dance, a text, or a theatrical performance. The humanities then ask us to dig in and reflect, critique, and contextualize those works. The arts can be an influential tool for a humanities program to help us express or understand a human experience.

In simple terms, “the humanities” are a branch of knowledge that study aspects of human society and culture. Public humanities programs help people reflect upon their experiences to understand current events and issues better or appreciate what makes us human. 

 “The Arts” are the doing part; “The Humanities” are talking about it.

Our office supports various City of Lawton Trusts, Boards, and Committees that foster the Arts and Humanities.

 

McMahon Auditorium Authority is a public trust dedicated to furthering the vision of Mrs. Louise D. McMahon to advocate the advancement of the arts and other educational and cultural endeavors through the use of the McMahon Memorial Auditorium. Visit swokarts.com for more information about events and information about the auditorium.

  • Lawton Arts & Humanities Committee exists to encourage and coordinate cultural endeavors and activities. We are providing understanding, knowledge, enjoyment, and practice of the arts and humanities, advancing the development of our citizens, contributing to the general welfare of the City and the area, and encouraging and stimulating all forms of artistic, literary, and other endeavors in the humanities.
  • International Festival Committee oversees the planning of Lawton’s annual International Festival, a free, three-day event to promote greater awareness and appreciation of Lawton’s diverse heritage. This family-oriented extravaganza is full of fun, food, children’s games and activities, demonstration artists, retailers, concerts, and multicultural experiences that make the Lawton Fort Sill Community unique. Visit swokarts.com for more information about this year’s festival.

Lawton Enhancement Trust Authority (LETA) is a public trust that exists to beautify and esthetically enhance the appearance of the City of Lawton. LETA’s purpose includes serving as a fair and impartial body responsible for the administration, management, and expenditure of the public and private funds entrusted to it. And it encourages and stimulates interest among and endeavors by public and private entities, groups, and individuals who share the vision of a more beautiful City of Lawton.

  • Lawton - Ft. Sill Freedom Festival Committee oversees the planning of Lawton’s celebration of America’s Independence Day. 
  • Lawton Beautiful Awards Gala Committee
  • Cultural Preservation Committee 

Jason Poudrier - Arts & Humanities Administrator

Andrea Morman - Deputy Arts & Humanities Administrator

Michell Rosario - Community Events & Outreach Coordinator

Haley Moore - Digital Media & Records Assistant 

Ashlin Penn - Theatrical Technical Coordinator 

Broderick Jackson II - Maintenance Technician

Stavis Morman - House Manager

Manuel Smith Jr. - Maintenance Technician (part time)

Staff Email and Contact Information - Arts & Humanities Division