Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center

Love this museum. I went there for a particular exhibition called Shelter by Lisa Karrer. She did a great job, and I liked how the museum gave each artist their own space and creative freedom.

We went for my birthday. They only had one floor open when we went. It was very small but it was very nice, though. They said more should be opening soon. They're remodeling. We loved all of the native american art.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Visiting Oklahoma Contemporary during the DeadCenter Film Festival was an unforgettable experience. The space itself is stunning—modern, welcoming, and thoughtfully designed. The exhibits were bold and engaging, and it was the perfect backdrop for the creative energy of the festival. Between the films and the art, it felt like the heart of Oklahoma City’s cultural scene. A must-visit if you’re in town—especially during DeadCenter!

Great art place to visit in OKC. Amazing art collection. Parking available.

I really loved the glass exhibit! It is beautiful and fascinating what this man and his team have done and can do! This is worth a visit alone. There are 3 floors. There was so least one exhibit that was still in the future when I visited.

I was shocked at what they consider “art” and surprised that is literally all it was, was a few rooms of words on paper. Only one room had 4 beautiful vases, the rest was just someone trying to get their political agenda out. Total garbage. Before they took us to the art rooms they talked about how it is all being watched on cameras and stand arm length away etc… so I was expecting some stunning art, then they took us to the rooms and it was just a bunch of leftist garbage. The person showing us around was not engaging either and I ended up just walking around on my own. We had a pretty diverse group of people that went and no one enjoyed it. Will not go again. Later that night I went to the Cowboy Museum, no guards, no lecture on where to stand, but it had true art. Oil on canvas over 100 years old, amazing displays of clothes the Indians wore, just amazing true art. Difference between the two was night and day. I know art is subjective so I almost didn’t leave a review at all as the “art” rotates I believe, so what I saw today will only be there a short while, hopefully. Maybe something better will come along but I def will not go back.

Free admission. Fantastic place. Very clean, very quiet, and massive. I love the modern appearance and best of all, the location. From cultural & social pieces to Warhols, sculptures to video game exhibits, this place always has something interesting. Very happy to see they moved from their old location at the Fairgrounds, where I attended pottery classes. They now have dedicated buildings for a variety of classes!

UPDATE: A beautiful space for the showcase of contemporary art talents; local and out of state. Bring your family and friends, or enjoy a solo visit and immerse yourself in works of art. The exhibit is free to the public. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. ***** Came for an event and didn't get to see the exhibit. Glad for OKC to have a place like this and look forward for another visit.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.