Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center looks to move downtown

The Kirkpatrick Family Fund and Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center have acquired 4.5 acres of land in downtown Oklahoma City (NW 12th St. and Broadway Drive) which will become the future home of Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center.

“I am thrilled at the prospect of relocating our organization to this up-and-coming part of town,” said Mary Ann Prior, executive director of Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center. “This is an important investment in the cultural future of Oklahoma City and I passionately believe it will help invigorate the local economy. It will be an inspiration to young people and a welcoming destination for everyone.”

The first grant awarded by the Kirkpatrick Family Fund in 1989 was made to establish City Arts Center, now Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, in the former Oklahoma Science and Arts Foundation building at State Fair Park.   Since then, the organization has grown and expanded its arts education and exhibits programs.

“I am proud of what Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center has accomplished in its current location and know the organization and its programs will be a welcome addition to the spirited art scene that is emerging in Oklahoma City,” said Christian Keesee, president of the Kirkpatrick Family Fund.

The new Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center will be an integrated arts center and creative workshop that promotes learning through a cycle of creating, inquiring, appreciating and celebrating.

Over the course of the last two years the board of directors of Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, with the assistance of consulting firm Lord Cultural Resources, has studied current programs, exhibits and audiences. They have also looked at the opportunities to expand education and exhibits programs.

“The Kirkpatrick Family Fund supported this research and the board and staff of Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center are ready to move forward with the design of the new building,” Keesee said.

“The site selected will allow us great scope to design a building that is best suited to carry out our mission related programs,” Prior said. “We look forward to keeping Oklahoma City informed as the plans unfold for the design and programming of this new center for contemporary art.”