Who We Are

At the new, state-of-the-art Oklahoma Contemporary, visitors explore art and creativity through exhibitions, performances and a wide variety of educational programs. At its core, the multidisciplinary contemporary arts organization is an inclusive space. Exhibitions and most programs are free. You are always welcome here.

In addition to the 8,000 square feet of galleries for visual art, Oklahoma Contemporary’s new downtown home includes a flexible theater, a dance studio and nine classrooms for Camp Contemporary and Studio School. The 4.6-acre grounds also include The Studios, a renovated warehouse that houses ceramics, fiber, painting, printmaking and sculpture classes. Campbell Art Park, our Sculpture Garden and North Lawn lend outdoor space for exhibitions, programs and performances.

After providing contemporary art experiences of all kinds for 30 years at the State Fairgrounds, these new, centrally located facilities dramatically increase Oklahoma Contemporary’s capacity to meet growing demand for arts and culture across our city, state and region.

Not For Sale, 2017

Mission

Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center encourages artistic expression in all its forms through education, exhibitions and performance.

Vision

We endeavor to instill in the public a lifetime appreciation of the arts and enthusiasm for creative practice.

History

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.

Inclusion

Oklahoma Contemporary strives to demonstrate leadership by modeling excellence and best practices for inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility. We believe in the power of human creativity and value the opportunities for connection and learning that exist when cultures and communities come together in collaboration and understanding.

We commit to championing policies and practices that value diversity, foster cultural equity and create an accessible and inclusive environment. Oklahoma Contemporary does not discriminate based on race/ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, citizenship status or religion. We recognize our strengths lie in the broad range of people who contribute their time and talents to our mission and are dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive place for them to explore creativity.

Land acknowledgement

We honor the Indigenous people who inhabited these lands before the United States was established, including the Apache, Caddo, Tonkawa and Wichita. We also honor those tribes who have an historic relationship to this region, including the Comanche, Kiowa, Osage and Quapaw. Prior to Statehood, we recognize the lands around Oklahoma City were federally assigned to the Muscogee (Creek) and Seminole Nations. Today, 39 distinct tribal nations reside in Oklahoma. Oklahoma Contemporary gratefully acknowledges each for their continued leadership in caring for and respecting the land upon which we work and create.

Special thanks to the First Americans Museum for their guidance and contribution in preparing this acknowledgement.