History

OmniArts in Education is a non-profit organization (presently located in Southfield, Michigan) that has primarily served schools for 30 years. The professional multi-cultural performing and visual artists of OmniArts provide educational arts experiences and services mostly for children.

The roots of this non-profit go back 50 years: OmniArts in Education grew from a summer music camp started by William Mobley in 1958. It evolved over the next decade, receiving its 501(c)(3) designation in 1966. By 1977 it was an arts (and cultural) education program encompassing four different arts areas. William Mobley was the Executive Director assisted by his wife Shirley.

By the early 1980’s, several Detroit schools were using OmniArts to enrich their students. More schools enrolled in the mid 1980’s, both in Detroit and Pontiac, as well as special centers for troubled youth. By 1991 OmniArts had grown still more; 35 Detroit schools, 5 Pontiac schools, and 5 MDSS Centers used its services. The number of OmniArts performers also increased, from 29 in 1980 to over 55 by 1990. Written supplementary material for children was developed, including two published books.

Upon Mr. Mobley’s death in 1993, the Board of Directors chose two women, who had both worked for OmniArts in different capacities, as Executive Co-Directors: Anne Esler (who left in 1997) and Claudia Rodgers. They actively made efforts to further improve this nonprofit. They hired numerous ethnically diverse performers, enlarging the number of cultures represented. By 1995 over 100 professionals were on the roster, more than 50% of whom were ethnic minorities. Ms. Rodgers also developed material to assist the schools and inaugurated the OmniArts newsletter. She began new components, specifically residencies and classroom writing programs.

In 1996, OmniArts in Education received a grant from the Chrysler Corporation Fund, a portion of which was for Arts programming for new and underserved audiences. OmniArts wanted to expand to serve low to moderate income students in Metro Detroit school districts outside the city proper, providing programs in more suburbs. Thus the districts of Dearborn Heights #7, Inkster, Ferndale, Wayne-Westland, Clintondale, Birmingham, Southfield, Taylor, Avondale and Roseville (and some charter schools) had OmniArts. In the 1996-97 school year, there were over 375 arts performances and nearly 35,300 students were served. Five Detroit schools also had 11 artist-in-residence programs. In addition, OmniArts has provided presentations for some Detroit Catholic schools, some Head Starts, the Capuchin Children’s Program and Focus Hope as well as a recreation center, a guidance center, and 2 Nursing Homes.

In the 2006-07 school year, OmniArts in Education supplied programs for students in more than 55 schools, among which were 27 writing programs in 5 schools. The number of residencies were nearly as numerous as the previous year: 23 in 10 schools (29 in 11 schools in 2005-06).

Throughout the years, over 100 Detroit schools and over 40 suburban schools have paid for the services of OmniArts, some for as many as 20 years. OmniArts is committed to quality arts / cultural education and to serving students in low to moderate income areas.