Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center

I have been taking one of the classes for the last 6 weeks and it's been really amazing. I love the atmosphere, it feels so pleasant and safe. My teacher right now is Martha Coates for making Renaissance clothing. I have enjoyed her class so much i am looking forward to enrolling in another class. If i can't get into Mrs. Coates class i will happily enroll in someone elses class.

We visited on a day they were switching out exhibits on the second floor, so we didn’t get to see everything — but honestly, it just gives us a reason to go back. The new café/coffee shop was SO good, and the little art vending machine was absolutely adorable. Such a fun touch. The photography on the third floor was incredible — we spent so much time up there. Overall, it was a great experience and we’re definitely going back to see the new exhibits. 🎨✨

The exhibits are rotated frequently and always are moving, inspiring, and fascinating. I love the creative space that invites visitors to express their own creativity freely during their visit. The suggested donation to enjoy such an enriching experience is only $5 per person. I really appreciate how accessible such an intentional, luxurious experience has been made to the public. I took my 3 little ones (1, 4, and 6 years) with me on a Thursday around 5pm and we had a beautiful time, mostly in the creativity room. I always capture the most beautiful and fascinating pictures, videos, and memories in this space, which is always the best part of the whole experience for me. The museum does close at 6pm daily and I personally love an evening museum experience... so a later closing on occasion would really be a plus. Overall I look forward to my next visit... and it will be soon.

It was so much fun. We went there for Valentine's Day for like a little clay workshop and made so many fun things. Everyone should check this place out. I will definitely be back. They have tons of things to do and tons of cute little shops!

This was very enjoyable. Nice variety of art works, some interactive, many thought provoking. Very nice facility. Highly recommend.

Love coming here to wander through the exhibits. They change every couple of months and the knowledge and storytelling here is incredible. The contemporary does a stellar job of sharing history through art and design. Plus they offer art classes at the studio school across the street. Great staff, teachers, an facilities. I’m glad I became a member.

Oklahoma Contemporary is an absolute must-visit in OKC! The architecture of the 'Folding Light' building is stunning and creates such a beautiful, welcoming setting for modern art. The exhibitions were incredibly moving and thought-provoking—truly top-tier curation. What really makes the experience, though, is the staff; they are so kind, welcoming, and clearly passionate about the art they share. Bonus: it’s free to the public, though the experience feels like a million bucks!

We NEED more community spaces free to the public. Knowledge, arts, and even just a space to sit is necessary in our society. This place runs off of donations to keep doors open, just like the library. So if you're looking for a good spot to visit without breaking the bank I highly implore you stop by the art museum, take a moment, and show some support to one of the few community spaces we have left. Pass the love on 💚💚💚

Please patronize this spot! They bring great art and life to the downtown area! It was much larger than we realized and we didn't even get to see it all when we stopped! Can't wait for our next visit!

Colors of Freedom Art Exhibit thru January 2025 Lyuda Cameron invited Mid-Del Art Guild (MDAG) to see the Ukrainian Children for Peace exhibit at the Oklahoma Contemporary Art Center (11 NW 11th St, OKC). Lyuda explained to me that the dog painting is of "Bullet", a well-known bomb sniffing dog in the Ukraine. Bullet searches for bombs that have been hidden in destroyed buildings by the Russians who are hoping to kill more Ukrainians as they look for people and property. The painting of the two birds combines their beloved stork with our revered eagle and together we are saving democracy and the Ukrainian people. While there, we also saw the art installation of refugee camps called "Shelter" by Lisa Karrer. Included in the exhibits are interviews of displaced people fleeing violence and social and economic upheavals. I was very interested to read an interview of a Vietnamese who said their family does not say I Love You, they show it by asking if you are hungry and feeding you. Recently I picked up my dog at the local groomer (Soi) who is Vietnamese. We got to chatting and she said she makes big batches of egg rolls several times a year and makes some for her customers. She gave my husband and I several egg rolls to take home for dinner. We were honored and when I read the interview at the exhibit, it hit home about food and love. Thank you Lyuda, Lisa and the OK Contemporary Art Center. Art can touch our souls and help us take action to help others.

Don't expect way out there no one understands funky. It's the right amount of make you think and consider. And don't be put off by the white expanse either. Ask questions to the multitude of people there to assist. It's not pretentious but surprisingly inviting. Took the kids and they enjoyed it as well. The exhibits change every few months so make sure you visit!

First, everyone here was so welcoming, kind, and engaging! I really felt like they wanted me here! Second, it's free! But please make a donation if you can. One exhibit was a collective of five oklahoma artists, particularly people of color/black people/first American people. I really enjoyed this exhibit, and it was refreshing to see it in Oklahoma, a place not always know for its diversity. The larger exhibit, a nature series by John Newsom, was impressive. Many large, imposing pieces of nature, colorful and impactful. Big cats, wolves, avian species, insects, reptiles, bison, and more. All beautiful, visually stimulating. I was so glad I made time to stop here.

Came here for the W3 event held by OEDA. Super cool place to come to for events or to check out the current art work available. The employees are super friendly and helpful, and the W3 event was beautifully done this year. Can't wait for next year!

Oklahoma Contemporary was a nice way for us to spend a couple of hours. They are a free museum, however, due to COVID, timed tickets are required. During our visit, they had "Open World: Video games and contemporary art" exhibit. Art that was based on games that I grew up playing. Some of it was interactive where you could play. They have a cafe for refreshments and a gift shop for art. I could of spent more than a couple hours, but, had more places that I needed to see in OKC.

I realized recently that it was just an absolutely insane to think about the fact that a world-class museum had opened in our city and I hadn't made time to go yet. And then, to think about the fact that one of my favorite artists on the planet has his first-ever solo show in Oklahoma at said museum. I was berating myself, and then I remembered the pandemic and cut myself some slack. But I truly just could not wait any longer. An amazing building, full of amazing art has sprung from the ground, and I just couldn't wait any longer to feel connected to it. I booked my time to see the Ed Ruscha online (galleries are always free); I booked last Monday to go this Friday, and there were only a few times left, so plan accordingly. When I arrived, I could not have felt more safe. When I was in the exhibit, there were only a few folks in there. Me, a group of four elderly folks, and two or three docents. Since this gallery took up most of one floor, you can imagine how socially distant we were. When I was there, I felt like my old self and I felt like someone who can see the future. For one of the first times since the pandemic began, I can see that life will in fact return to normal. We'll see one act plays and live readings and hear from artists and curators in the amazing black box theatre (with what has to be the world's largest ring light). We'll see dancers perform graceful feats of athleticism in the studio space and wonder how their bodies can defy gravity. We'll buy expensive tickets to a fundraiser to help raise money for future incredible shows. We'll valet, we'll eat hors d'oeuvres and sip cocktails. We'll see people we love and want to catch up with... and we'll see people we hope don't spot us and will keep on walking. We'll drink too much and stay out too late. We'll be out and about together again, and this time we'll have the Oklahoma Contemporary as part of the fabric of this pretty little city. We'll stand, mouth agape, wondering how someone could have known how to make such an incredible work of art, how to get into our heads like that. We'll forget for a moment about the pandemic and all the ways it changed our lives forever. I know this last part is true, because it has already happened to me.

The museum was spacious, clean, and bright. There was a variety of contemporary art displayed, and all the staff I met were friendly and helpful. The museum is very COVID-conscious as well, and there are hand sanitizing stations spread out throughout the various exhibits. The best part about this museum was the arts and crafts rooms downstairs, where kids and adults could freely use various craft supplies to create and invent things. When I was there, there were several families deeply invested in creating various tools and projects. What a great idea to encourage kids (and adults) to use their imaginations!

Thank you Oklahoma Contemporary for bringing visual and performing art into our lives! The exhibits are wonderful! Thank you SOOOOO much for having the online Friday Night Workshops! It's such a fun way to share experiences with friends and family while staying safe in our own homes. A lot of creativity and thoughtfulness goes into each session. Most of all, Thank You For Being in OKC!

Came to see the Wake installation by Grace Grothaus, very cool to see and experience. Wish I could have come at night, would have been even better. Awesome place and awesome art.

Amazing! Stunning rotating exhibitions of cutting edge art from around the globe. A beacon of progress and culture in OKC.

Nice museum, very clean and has a good rotation of modern art. I really liked the exhibits we saw while we were there. One thing missing (to be fair, few museums have this) is something hands on that kids and fidgety types could enjoy. I would return, but only after a few months so I could see something new. Private events here with booze make the art EVEN better.

Sometimes I wonder if people realize it's there. In the middle of our Oklahoma State Fair Grounds, in between the occasional show ponies, gun shows, book sales, garage sales and some awesome roller derby matches, rests the City Arts Center. I've seen comedians such as (Mark Maron WTF) musicains like the Evens with Ian Mackaye and Amy Farina. I've seen colorful sea creature ballon sculptures from New York artists and had the pleasure of seeing my own friends pieces here during the "music and art" series they did. They also have a list of classes for children and adults, I've never taken a class but have honestly pictured myself taking things like: screen printing, sculpture and pottery. I hope that people know it's here since its a little hidden in the State Fair Park area, but if you just turn into the State fair park gate off of May Ave. you'll get there, (if you pass the space needle you've gone to far.)

OCAC is an excellent place for adults to get involved in the Arts. My participation is through the Veterans & basic ceramics programs and it gets 5 Stars. Tim Sullivan assisted by Margy and Ron are awesome instructors with an abundance of skillful patience working with the veterans. I also enjoyed a more open individual improvement class with Kara. The staff are very professional, friendly, and easy to work with. They are there to assist you to get the fullest experience possible. The venue is good, the parking is excellent, and the cost reasonable. I was disappointed to see no mention of the 15 or so men and women who worked diligently these past 6 weeks to produce the ceramics to be sold during the November sale. These people donated their time and expertise for the betterment of the OCAC as mentioned in the first paragraph describing the sale benefits. Hopefully this is an administrative over site to be corrected soonest. The OCAC is an excellent place now and will be an extraordinary venue once relocated.

The City Arts Center is a hidden Oklahoma gem located on the Fair Grounds. Parking is plentiful and close. I have wandered the gallery many times on the way to my clay classes. The art classes at the City Arts Center are top-notch, reasonably priced and staffed by excellent teachers. They also offer a wide array of kids classes that include the standard art classes. Two kids classes that really blew me away were the pop art posters - the kids made self portraits that were absolutely amazing and the flute class where the kids made a flute and learned to play it! Stop by City Arts Center for fun and learning - you will not be disappointed.