FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lori Brooks, Director of Communications
405 951 0000 | lbrooks@okcontemp.org
Media kit: bit.ly/OCStudioskit
(Oct. 8, 2018) This week, Oklahoma Contemporary will submit plans to the Downtown Design Review Committee for The Studios, a second building on the arts campus under construction at NW 11th and Broadway. Located in an historic renovated warehouse space (adjacent to the primary building, Folding Light), The Studios will house the center’s programs for ceramics, fiber, metal, wood, glass and more. The new campus, designed by architect Rand Elliott and built by Smith & Pickel Construction, will open in the fall of 2019.
The 10,000 sq foot Studios building will include ceramics studios, a fiber arts classroom and two sculpture studios as well as an outdoor studio and sculpture garden. Construction will begin this fall. Construction of Folding Light began in March.
When the new campus opens in fall 2019, it will become a spectacular new cultural resource for Oklahoma City. In addition to providing a world-class facility for exhibitions, performance and education and a breathtaking addition to the OKC skyline, it will become a “creative commons,” a place for the community to gather, create and experience art. Arts education programs will encourage youth and adults to find their own creativity and learn new skills through classes and camps across multiple disciplines. Incorporating programming from community partners, Oklahoma Contemporary will be a hub for artistic experiences of all kinds.
In its new home, Oklahoma Contemporary will more than triple program and class offerings for diverse audiences of all ages to meet the growing demand for arts and culture — and grow its audiences from 22,000 to about 100,000 by 2022. Among those programs, a new Studio School will offer an expanded suite of classes for youth and adults. In addition to courses in visual arts, digital media, performance and literature, Oklahoma Contemporary’s flagship programs in ceramics and fiber arts will expand their impact with cutting-edge facilities in The Studios building.
A media kit, including high-resolution renderings of and facts about both buildings, programming plans, a Capital Campaign donor list and program photos, is at bit.ly/OCStudioskit.
###
Past press releases and information are archived at oklahomacontemporary.org/media. Interviews can be organized through Director of Communications Lori Brooks (lbrooks@okcontemp.org).
About Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center
Oklahoma Contemporary ignites creativity. An arts center for learning currently located at State Fair Park, our mission is to encourage artistic expression in all its forms through education, exhibition and performance. We focus on living artists, the art of now and the art of what's next. We are committed to providing accessible, inclusive arts experiences for everyone by hosting free exhibitions, events and performances year-round and by offering low-cost, high-quality arts classes and camps for youth and adults.
Oklahoma Contemporary is a regional 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization founded in 1989 by businessman and philanthropist Christian Keesee and Kirkpatrick Foundation Director Marilyn Myers.
