Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, formed at the Fairgrounds in 1989 as City Arts Center by Christian Keesee and Kirkpatrick Foundation Director Marilyn Myers, is a nonprofit organization committed to providing the community with quality, accessible and affordable arts programming and education. Through corporate funding and private donations, Oklahoma Contemporary is able to educate Oklahomans through adult classes and workshops, art camps and classes for local youth, art exhibitions, lectures and additional educational programming. Oklahoma Contemporary was the recipient of the first grant ever awarded by the Kirkpatrick Family Fund and plays a key role in the development of Oklahoma City’s visual arts landscape.

In the photograph (circa 1965) above, Roy Kirkpatrick, his wife Jamie, and Michael Moorman (both men were nephews of the late John Kirkpatrick, founder of the Kirkpatrick Foundation) stand outside City Arts Center (renamed Oklahoma Contemporary Art Center in 2018), our original home at the State Fairgrounds. Throughout its history, the building also housed the Science and Arts Foundation (now known as Science Museum Oklahoma) and studios for Yvonne Choteau and Miguel Terekov, founders of the Oklahoma City Ballet. The iconic domed building is a true Oklahoma City arts and culture landmark!