The Oklahoma Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain is the official school of the arts in Oklahoma. As a private, non-profit organization, their mission is to provide exceptional multidisciplinary arts experiences that develop individual talent and inspire a lifelong passion for the arts. Since 1977, they have been recruiting nationally renowned artists to teach a fine arts program for talented Oklahoma youth and a series of continuing education workshops for adults.

Their flagship program, the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute, is a two-week academy in the literary, visual, and performing arts for high school students. Through a competitive audition process, selected students receive scholarships to attend. In addition, the institute offers the Oklahoma Fall Arts Institute, a series of weekend workshops for educators and adult artists of all ability levels.

The Oklahoma Arts Institute is funded through a unique public/private partnership, ensuring the arts have a strong presence in Oklahoma