Oklahoma Contemporary has begun construction on the state’s next cultural destination, a contemporary arts center at NW 11th and Broadway in downtown Oklahoma City. The new facility, designed by architect Rand Elliott and built by Smith & Pickel Construction, will open March 2020.
For 28 years, Oklahoma Contemporary has provided arts education, performances and exhibitions at State Fair Park and now reaches around 18,000 people annually. The building is filled to capacity with camps, classes, exhibits and programming. The move will allow the organization to keep pace with demand, serve an estimated 90,000 annual visitors and more than triple programs and class offerings.
Oklahoma Contemporary’s board, donors, teachers and students are eager to see the new building begin to take shape.
"Construction was originally scheduled to begin in January of 2017, but was delayed as the organization successfully pursued new market tax credits,” said Christian Keesee, Oklahoma Contemporary founder and board president.
Beginning with anchor funding from the Kirkpatrick Family Fund, the Kirkpatrick Foundation and Christian Keesee, Oklahoma Contemporary has raised more than $18.7 million toward its current $26 million capital campaign. Several generous donors recently pushed the campaign over the 70 percent mark, including the Chickasaw Nation, Glenna and Richard Tanenbaum, Devon Energy, Rick and Lerri Cooper and Steven C. Agee. Other donors include George Records, the E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation, the Inasmuch Foundation and Love’s Travel Stops. (Please see sidebar for complete donor list.)
A media kit, including this release, a Capital Campaign donor list, outlines of 2018 and 2019 programming, high-resolution renderings and program photos, is at bit.ly/OCconstructionkit. Interviews can be organized through Director of Communications Lori Brooks (lbrooks@okcontemp.org). (March 19, 2018)
