New Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center to Open in January 2020

Since 1989, the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center (Oklahoma Contemporary) has been located in Oklahoma City’s State Fair Park, offering free exhibitions and low-cost programming to area residents. Next year, however, the nonprofit arts institution will have a new home on an almost five acre campus near the city’s historic Automobile Alley, in a new building designed by local firm Rand Elliott Architects.

Housing 8,000 square feet of gallery space and a 200-seat theater, the new arts center is clad in a pleated aluminum skin that catches the sunlight. At night, The Lantern—a pillar-like light feature running from above the the project’s roof-line to its base—will illuminate the campus.

Aiming to provide a physical embodiment of the cultural center’s commitment to accessible, inclusive art, Rand Elliott Architects focused on a design that takes advantage of Oklahoma’s dramatic light and weather conditions, according to a press release from Oklahoma Contemporary.

“The new building is architecture created to celebrate the ever-changing light in Oklahoma. With a focus on arts education, the building is intended to inspire visitors to see art responding to the environment around them,” Rand Elliott, FAIA, said in the same release. “Special attention has been given to creating the north-facing outdoor terrace with views of the Oklahoma State Capitol dome. We hope visitors will leave the building with memories of their experience ascending the ceremonial stair. Art helps us see the world differently.”

Over 150 donors raised more than $21.5 million of the Oklahoma Contemporary’s $30 million goal for the project. In addition to the construction costs for the new campus and flagship building, the funding will also support the center’s opening-year programming.