WELCOME TO OECO! The Office of Education and Community Outreach (OECO) is a service unit of the College of the Arts. Dedicated to extending Montclair State University cultural resources to the broader educational community, OECO collaborates with community, regional and national partners to introduce programming and networking opportunities that address a range of educational needs. Through such partnerships, OECO explores, recommends, and develops programming that fosters research, creative work and individual achievement in arts education.

What Does OECO Offer?
As research consistently shows, experiences in the arts (such as those offered through community-based programs) not only foster the spirit, but benefit the health and well-being of children and adults. OECO programs reach out to schools (K-12), community groups and individuals to provide and strengthen such experiences. Programs include performances, lectures, conferences, interactive workshops, professional development sessions and arts-education residencies. Most programs are free to participants.


Who Is Eligible?
If you are a K-12 teacher or community program coordinator with an interest in arts enrichment opportunities for young people, OECO can provide the programs and resources.

If you are an individual or parent seeking dynamic, arts-based discovery programs for children or adults, OECO provides day, evening and weekend opportunities.

OECO Programs

OECO arts programs address all arts disciplines (some topic specific) and serve both children and adults. Many are open to the general public. The Body Talks examines the concept of body image and its effect on individuals, culture and society, advocating “self-acceptance” as a fundamental life skill. The Need To Know Series explores areas of interest to mainstream society fostering learning, creativity, and transformation. Arts Voyage offers live theatre and multidisciplinary children’s workshops. In developing these and other program initiatives the OECO maintains a productive partnership with the New Jersey Arts in Health Initiative and other divisions in the College of the Arts.


Contact Us
For more information on Office of Education and Community Outreach programs or to explore how to partner with OECO to develop new programs, contact program director Marie Sparks at sparksm@mail.montclair.edu or call 973-655-7070.