address=2 NW 11th (http://g.co/maps/5bxqf)
cost=$26 million
architect=Rand Elliott
start=2016
finish=2018
acerage=4.65
Formerly called Campbell Park

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/conwiki1.jpg
Information & Latest News
6/16/15: Detailed plans revealed for new museum (http://www.okctalk.com/content/177-ok-contemporary-unveils.html)
3/19/14: Architect is chosen (http://newsok.com/architect-is-chosen-for-new-oklahoma-contemporary-arts-center/article/3944667)
3/30/12: Arts Center will move from State Fairgrounds (http://newsok.com/city-arts-center-in-oklahoma-city-will-move-from-state-fair-park-to-downtown/article/3661892)
Links
County Assessor Record (http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/AN-R.asp?ACCOUNTNO=R040043150)
City Arts Center website (http://cityartscenter.org/)
Gallery

I don't know, I have mixed feelings about this location. I would rather see this project in the actual Arts District, or even Film Row...but oh well, good addition to AA nonetheless...

I know they strongly considered what will now be the downtown elementary school location, which I think would have been a better fit and provided a bit of a bridge between the Arts District and Film Exchange.

It also would have allowed for more of a critical mass of these arts venues.

That's a lot of land. I wonder how much of it will be empty or parking lots. I like the idea that we seem to be coming more downtown-centric, but I would have hoped for a higher density use for that land. Do we know how they're going to fund their building?

I hope the contractors/architect/engineers know what they are doing with regards to soundproofing!

I also feel like this is a strange fit for Auto-Alley, but I'm glad someone will make use of this space especially if it brings traffic to the area. I'm still hoping for some residential along AA at some point.

Now the $38 million dollar Boomasada development makes perfect sense.

If I were a tin hatter, I might wonder if the movers and shakers long standing desire to clear out the Fairgrounds of all things not horseman related had anything to do with why that quiet zone never went into place.

However, as I'm neither a tin hatter nor a quiet zone proponent, I imagine I'll ponder on other things this weekend instead.

I ditto the comments of G. Walker about this location. This site is not far from the Arts District or Film Row, but it is nonetheless elsewhere. I favor the concentration.

I too had heard that this group wanted the site where the new school will be located. This planned location definitely seems better than the current fairgrounds site.

Honestly, either this needs to go in the Arts District, or we need to reevaluate how we're branding the area along Walker. What if the City Arts Center used the old Stage Center??

I was excited when I first heard that the City Arts Center was wanting to move downtown, because they do a lot of great exhibits that go unnoticed on the fairgrounds. I just would rather this take advantage of the best opportunity available because too many other things aren't taking advantage of the best opportunity.

Why is it OK to close down the street?

Honestly, either this needs to go in the Arts District, or we need to reevaluate how we're branding the area along Walker.

I fought and lost that battle here on OKCTalk when the Banjo Museum went to Bricktown and the proposed Toy Museum also was recommended for Bricktown. They should rename the Arts District to Civic District because that is really the only unifying theme that exists there.

Are there any incentives for being an arts entity in the "Arts District", or just wishful thinking? Seems like there is plenty of land over there...just none so visible as they want.

Nothing more than whistling in the dark, and in this case, they found a tune and named it Arts District.

I do get the sense that the supporters of Auto Alley were disappointed to lose IAO to Film Row. I'm sure that many of them probably feel this helps make up for it. We need activity (particularly at night) in that area of AA. It also occurs to me that the park out front might offer a great opportunity as a canvass for large outdoor exhibitions. The park is very underutilized. I do wish they include some leasable space for restaurant, bookstore, or some other element to make it semi-mixed use.

It would be awesome if they could do something similar to what Tulsa is doing with the Matthews Warehouse/TU/Philbrook/Living Artist Space/etc collaboration project, but I just don't think they have that kind of resources, and certainly there is no Kaiser Foundation here to sweep in and bankroll our private civic-oriented projects that don't have any other backing.

The Kirkpatrick Foundation.

My understanding is they funded the OKCMOA?

Honestly, either this needs to go in the Arts District, or we need to reevaluate how we're branding the area along Walker. What if the City Arts Center used the old Stage Center??

I was excited when I first heard that the City Arts Center was wanting to move downtown, because they do a lot of great exhibits that go unnoticed on the fairgrounds. I just would rather this take advantage of the best opportunity available because too many other things aren't taking advantage of the best opportunity.
I was thinking the same thing, isnt it across the street from the school location where they wanted? Presume it was cost prohibitive to fix Stage Center and/or didn't fit their needs/wants

Well, if this new site ends up costing more than new construction on 12th, it will be very glaring indeed...

The facility itself won't be anymore conducive for art exhibits than children's museum exhibits, granted, but the theaters would be an amazing space to run a film program. Downtown OKC needs somthing like the Circle Cinema in Tulsa that runs art films continuously. 2 screenings a day at the OKCMOA isn't cutting it, plus their two showtimes a night are becoming standing-room only.

Artful Move
By Kelley Chambers
www.okc.biz

City Arts Center plans to relocate Downtown and build new home after more than two decades at Oklahoma State Fair Park

To find the City Arts Center, one must be well acquainted with the layout of Oklahoma State Fair Park. From May Avenue on the east, Gate 3 leads off the road and opens onto a long drive toward a building with a yellow dome. Some know it as the old Oklahoma Science and Arts Foundation building. For others, it’s simply that building with the planetarium dome, although they may not know what goes on inside. For fans of The Flaming Lips, the interior may look familiar, as it was a filming location for the band’s 1999 music video for “Race for the Prize.”

The building has been home to City Arts since the organization was founded in 1989 by a grant from the Kirkpatrick Foundation. More than two decades later, the foundation that gave the group its start, and helped it thrive over the years, has its sights on moving the organization to a more visible location in a new building.

Where once the fairgrounds was a hub of culture, with City Arts and the Oklahoma Art Center, the group’s board saw that the center of arts and culture in the city had shifted Downtown. About three years ago, they began looking seriously at options for renovating an existing building or finding available land.

“We began looking more specifically Downtown at potential buildings that might suit our purpose,” says Kirkpatrick Family Fund Director Liz Eickman. “We came to the conclusion that building a new building was the best course for us.”

County records show the foundation purchased 4.5 acres at N. Broadway Avenue and 12th Street for $3.5 million in late March. With the land secured, it will provide a site that is in good company for City Arts: Allied Arts, the Oklahoma Arts Institute and the Womb gallery are just a stone’s throw away. Now the questions are: What it will look like? How big will it be? How much will it cost?

“It’s difficult to answer that until we address some of the issues of selecting an architect and putting together some drawings where we can get a real sense of pricing,” Eickman says.

While City Arts continues to offer exhibitions and classes for adults and children, to grow and prosper it will require a customized space that fits its needs, and to accommodate things such as year-round exhibitions of local, national and international artists. Mary Ann Prior was hired as executive director in 2009 to help with the transition. Initial plans call for the new facility to open in 2015.

“With Mary Ann on board, we began the whole planning process,” Eickman says.

Prior is a professional curator who last worked overseeing the corporate art collection of Bank of America at its offices in Europe. She says the programs and exhibitions at City Arts are top-notch, yet many have no idea it exists, have no idea where it is, or may think it is just a part of the State Fair.

“Our biggest problem at this location has been maximizing our audience. We do have some wonderful things we offer here, but attracting people to this particular place is quite challenging.”

Prior says the new building likely will be between 40,000 and 50,000 square feet. The available land also will offer the potential for future growth. The current space is about 36,000 square feet.

The new spot also will be set up as a place to grab a bite to eat and drink, as Prior says plans call for a cafe and a bar.

Access and visibility also will be improved. With students and visitors coming from around the state, the site easily is accessible from Interstate 235.

“We won’t be increasing by a huge amount, but we’ll make much better use of the space that we get,” she says. “It will be more tailored to our actual needs.”

What kind of design would you like to see? I'd like to see something that really pops so if you were to look at it you'd know it probably has something to do with art, but not too tacky. Something that pops as far as architect, not something that pops because it's bright and has a million colors like The Womb.

What if this project and the convention center could switch plots of land? The City Arts Center would be an amazing thing to have wedged in between the two parks, and if they're only wanting 50-60,000 sf you have plenty of room to preserve a green spine.

Kewl

What if this project and the convention center could switch plots of land? The City Arts Center would be an amazing thing to have wedged in between the two parks, and if they're only wanting 50-60,000 sf you have plenty of room to preserve a green spine.

I personally don't think switching the convention center with the location for the Arts Center is any more desirable, but I love your idea of putting this Arts Center between the two parks. But ideas like this make too much sense...

Logic -- HA! That'll have to be curtailed.

The City Arts Center is now known as the 'Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center'.

http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/859410_10151436203544800_1828750994_o.jpg?dl=1 (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151436203544800&set=a.424155719799.193682.16423409799)

See, it says so, right there in the sign.

From the City Ar... oops, I mean Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center facebook page.

Weird. At the press conference, they repeatedly called it "Oklahoma Contemporary" and as you can see, the sign, and the material given out at the event referred to it as "Oklahoma Contemporary," with no reference to "arts center."

Weird. At the press conference, they repeatedly called it "Oklahoma Contemporary" and as you can see, the sign, and the material given out at the event referred to it as "Oklahoma Contemporary," with no reference to "arts center."

Steve, it probably is just 'Oklahoma Contemporary'. I was just going from the text in the fb entry, which is likely a mistake. There's no 'Arts Center' in the new sign. The facebook page URL itself only uses 'Oklahoma Contemporary'.

http://www.facebook.com/OklahomaContemporary

So, I'm sure you're right. Consider my post corrected.

However, to throw my own $0.02 in...

I think that "Oklahoma Contemporary" is a bit vague, by itself. If you mentioned that phrase to someone, likely their first response would be "Oklahoma Contemporary what?"

Steve, it probably is just 'Oklahoma Contemporary'. I was just going from the text in the fb entry, which is likely a mistake. There's no 'Arts Center' in the new sign. The facebook page URL itself only uses 'Oklahoma Contemporary'.

http://www.facebook.com/OklahomaContemporary

So, I'm sure you're right. Consider my post corrected.

I'm not so sure. It's been a real struggle getting good communication from these folks. They refused to give me any real idea as to what the press conference was about, and then had no press release to give out at the press conference.

Name Release: Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center | Oklahoma Contemporary (http://cityartscenter.org/Web_v2/name-release-oklahoma-contemporary-arts-center/)

Name Release: Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center | Oklahoma Contemporary (http://cityartscenter.org/Web_v2/name-release-oklahoma-contemporary-arts-center/)

Ok, well... I'll take that as definitive (I guess). Anyway, including 'Arts Center' in the name makes a lot more sense.

Less than ideal communication on this one, for sure....

However, to throw my own $0.02 in...

I think that "Oklahoma Contemporary" is a bit vague, by itself. If you mentioned that phrase to someone, likely their first response would be "Oklahoma Contemporary what?"

I guess you could say the same about the Tate Modern. (Modern what?)

Home | Tate (http://www.tate.org.uk/)

I guess you could say the same about the Tate Modern. (Modern what?)

Home | Tate (http://www.tate.org.uk/)

Well, Mary Ann is British, so perhap's you're right.

There's an article (and discussion) about the newly named Oklahoma Contemporary here:

Brand New: Oklahoma Gets its Contemporary On (http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/oklahoma_gets_its_contemporary_on.php)

This is mostly about the branding -- logos, images, etc. They have some nice pics.
One that really grabs my attention is this photo of the art center's (obviously recent) fold-out brochure:

http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/okc_brochure.jpg

Now, the picture next to 'CREATIVITY' on the right...is that a rendering for a building?

I'm sure there is more to it than I know about their present location and the move downtown in the coming years but I'm very disappointed that's in the works. I go there now. It's pretty convenient. It will twice as far for me to travel and a lot less likely I will continue to go there in the future after the move.

Full shot of the new sign:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k90HWR4IgiA/USLfWvItK9I/AAAAAAAAXA4/jwJuU1CCkf4/s1600/oklahoma+contemporary+1.JPG

Source: City Arts Center becomes Oklahoma Contemporary (http://ok4thearts.blogspot.com/2013/02/city-arts-center-becomes-oklahoma.html)

Here's more on the pending move to this downtown location:


Downtown OKC
Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center looks to move downtown


Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center staff pictured at the future site.
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 Oklahoma Contempoary Arts Center in the former Oklahoma Science and Arts Foundation building at State Fair Park. During the last 23 years 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.”

Looks like they were using a slightly modified version of that building for a brochure mock-up.

On the materials, they also used www.okc.com as a web address which is not owned by the museum.

I believe all this was just a branding exercise using placeholders and examples.


http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/okc_brochure.jpg

I believe all this was just a branding exercise using placeholders and examples.

Ok, must be. That answered my next question, which would have been "why are they putting their logo on an existing building?".

I'll have to keep in mind, the next time I see something on that site (underconsideration.com) that it may be nothing more than mockup stuff.

Is this the same parcel of land the Houston developer was wanting to build a big urban apartment complex?

Is this the same parcel of land the Houston developer was wanting to build a big urban apartment complex?

I'm not 100% sure, but yes, i think this is it. It was the Bomasada Group out of Houston.

Speaking of, I think someone asked Steve recently in a chat if they were looking around again and I think he said they were. It's also possible that I'm just imagining this, but I'm pretty sure it happened in last week's chat.

Maybe Steve can confirm for us that they're poking around again or if Pete's heard anything through his connections?

Yes, it's the same as the once-proposed apartment complex that supposedly died due to lack of a train quiet zone.

Here is a pertinent article (http://newsok.com/okcs-shelving-of-quiet-zone-plan-has-some-in-downtown-making-noise/article/3635675) that has some information.

Any news on this as of late?

Architect is chosen for new Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center | News OK (http://newsok.com/architect-is-chosen-for-new-oklahoma-contemporary-arts-center/article/3944667)

Wah wah

Wah wah

So this is bad? Serious question.

So this is bad? Serious question.

I'm also confused...

Wah wah

Does this mean you don't like Rand or his work?

Wah wah

It's unfortunate that you have to make a comment like this bc you know there are no other designers that have quite the portfolio like Rand and therefore he's the only name in town to be chosen for such projects. Let's just hope they steer him in a direction outside of the mold of boathouses and we see something unique here.

Rand has done a whole lot more than the boathouses....a lot of award winning projects. And, his designs are very contemporary in nature.

"He has served on our board of trustees since the organization’s inception,” Keesee said.

He is listed on their website as being in the Founders Circle.

Related to Oklahoma Contemporary, Marfa Contemporary? ...About | Marfa (http://www.marfacontemporary.org/about)

JTF has mentioned several times that OKC doesn't have a particular architectural style that runs throughout the city. Perhaps we'll become known for the Rand Elliott style.

Rand is incredibly well-qualified for this work. He has done other museum projects, including the Stuart Wing at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art on the OU campus, and the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton.

I have also personally spoken with him at length about his love and admiration for Louis Khan's design of the Kimbell Museum of Art in Fort Worth and of how that design "forces" an experience (a peacefully reflective one) on visitors coming in through the front of the building. He is hyper-aware of how architecture and art can interact to create experience, and Oklahoma Contemporary is especially well-matched to his skill set.

Rand would be a tremendous choice for this project even if he did not have unique insight and experience with this museum's specific vision and mission, which of course he does.

^^agreed

Rand is incredibly well-qualified for this work. He has done other museum projects, including the Stuart Wing at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art on the OU campus, and the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton.

I have also personally spoken with him at length about his love and admiration for Louis Khan's design of the Kimbell Museum of Art in Fort Worth and of how that design "forces" an experience (a peacefully reflective one) on visitors coming in through the front of the building. He is hyper-aware of how architecture and art can interact to create experience, and Oklahoma Contemporary is especially well-matched to his skill set.

Rand would be a tremendous choice for this project even if he did not have unique insight and experience with this museum's specific vision and mission, which of course he does.

He'll do a fine job with the inside... but I'm curious how this will impact such an urban site. Most of this new construction stuff, that I've seen, turns its back to the street and celebrates the building, not people. His building rehabs always turn out great, and his interiors are always interesting, hence the award winning...

Most architecture planning and design professionals in the state take a nuanced view toward Rand's work. Typically he does best in urban settings when his project is already standing (Red, his office, Postal Plaza, Lyric @ Plaza). With new builds he is not particularly known for embracing urban scale.

This will be interesting to watch. This could be an opportunity for downtown to gain a new signature type work. I'm just not sure how much room the designer has to incorporate unique elements, though. Rand can't really depart too much from what's universally accepted or familiar if it is to be accepted long term. You would think a "contemporary" art space would reflected its mission, but how much contemporary will OKC accept? Rand Elliot is probably a safe choice in that regard, in that the firm has a good idea of what the market will and won't accept. Rand Elliot seems capable of doing contemporary looking work that won't push past the community's comfort zone and, in that sense, is probably a wise choice. Someone less sensitive to that could go too unique or innovative, which has the potential to turn a lot of people off here.