Possible Downtown Museum

[joiei]

Artist, you were so right, this is way bigger than anything I imagined.   I sure hope it happens,  can you imagine.  The beginnings of a true music and museum district. 

[Conan71]

Artist, you were so right, this is way bigger than anything I imagined.   

Can you imagine if that's all you heard of that conversation in a bar?

[TURobY]

Can you imagine if that's all you heard of that conversation in a bar?

Yes... yes I can imagine. LOL

[TheArtist]

The hope is that they will be able to break ground next summer. Also the 25mill from the state (the Oklahoma History Museum got 50mill) will be a one off, in that this museum with its endowment and revenue from the Pop Top Cafe, events, donations, etc... will be self sustaining and not a "continued expansion or burden" on the government. Once its built, year after year it will act as a regional attraction and revenue generator.

The renderings are not finalized, but are definitely meant to set the bar. They want this museum to be a world class attraction and Smithsonian quality. Through the Oklahoma History Museum it will be an adjunct of the Smithsonian, likely getting some articles from the Smithsonian and other museums around the state and country. They want it to be one of the top 4 venues of its type, like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Also think of the synergies Tulsa is starting to build in this area. We are already known as the Cultural and Artistic capitol of the state. This will further cement that designation and keep us from falling behind. Within a few blocks of this we have the Brady Theater, Cains Ballroom, BOK Arena, Jazz Hall of Fame, Performing Arts Center, plus other music venues... All adding together to create a tipping point which will definitely create a great Music Vibe for Tulsa. Lets not forget D-Fest and what it is doing for Tulsas music scene as well. Then add to that the Matthews/Philbrook/Atkins museum, the new Ballpark... This part of town will be jumpin.

I really enjoyed Blackburns description of this place and how it will be themed. They started thinking of this as being a Rock and Roll type venue, then a Country Music venue, Rout 66, etc. etc. Then they came up with the notion of rolling them all into one and having the over arching theme be Pop Culture. He ran off descriptions of SOOO many people from Tulsa that have had an influence in our nations pop culture. Their connections and influence on so many things that have shaped pop culture in our country, and the world. The thread that will tie this museum and its exhibits together, from movies to radio will be Music.  Its really amazing how much influence people from this small town and this state have had on our pop culture scene. And this museum will showcase that to the world.

Location... Definitely the Brady District. There are a few spots they are looking at, and yes, the parking lot opposite the Brady Theater is one of them.

The next big step will be getting the state funding. From what I have heard rumor wise, it looks like the state legislators are fairly smitten with what they have seen with this project. But still, fingers crossed. In the meantime an architectural firm may be chosen by this fall. Also the collections and fundraising process will start. They are already establishing connections with individuals, collectors, venues and museums all over the state (Oklahoma History Museum, Tulsa Historical Society, musuems in other cities, etc.) and country (including the Smithsonian) and gathering objects for the museum. Yes there will be a concern about spending money on this during a very tight budget. This will take years to build and the recession wont last forever. They want to keep trucking along and make this a top notch facility. Its planting a seed during lean years to have it blossom and be ready to bear fruit. Its keeping the momentum going, and once its done, it will be there to keep things going year after year.  

There are other really neat things planned and going on in this part of downtown, small and large. Its this continued moving forward, keeping a focus and over all emphasis on arts and creativity, and adding to that which will really help get us back on the map. Lots of pieces adding up to create one big impact.

[Conan71]

Yes... yes I can imagine. LOL

I'd be guessing they were talking about a mural, what were you thinking?   

[TheArtist]

Can you imagine if that's all you heard of that conversation in a bar?

I get that a lot. 

[TURobY]

I'd be guessing they were talking about a mural, what were you thinking?   

I've been around too many overtly sexual people for me to not think certain things...  

[SXSW]

I agree with Floyd, based on the rendering this is Boulder Ave....time to get the bridge fixed.

I think Boulder & Brady across the street from the Brady Theatre is perfect.  And yes that could jumpstart getting the Boulder bridge rebuilt as Boulder becomes one of the main thoroughfares through downtown connecting all the way to 21st/Riverside..and maybe a future streetcar route?

[OurTulsa]

Wow.  wow.  Wow.

I'm thinking that's the capstone on a very impressive list of cultural institutions poised to transform the Brady District into a very cool place.  Which cultural element will turn dirt first?

[SoonerGuy]

Great looking museum! I can't wait until this things gets cleared and off the ground. Really exciting time in Tulsa.
These renderings remind me alot of the Experience Music Project which is in Seattle. It was geared towards popular music from the Seattle area, and now also has a science fiction wing. It is a very technologically intensive in the exhibits, and on the night I walked through (it happened to be free that night; once a month) they had a band playing on a stage inside the museum. Very very cool.

I'm new here, and I couldnt figure out how to post images and make them a resonable size, so here are the URLs of some. First one is the outside of the building. (Ours is way cooler, but notice the monorail running through the EMP)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/EMPPano11.jpg

This is the inside, where they have concerts etc.
http://www.sculpture.net/images/Seattle/IMG_9303-sm.jpg

[joiei]

Rich Fisher of KWGS radio had a very good interview with the OHS folks on his show today.  They are talking about something to be more than just a museum, they are already working on archives for exhibits to go in the building.  I like the idea of the roof top cafe, temporarily called the POP Top.  http://www.publicradiotulsa.org/studiotulsa.html

[cannon_fodder]

Really amazing announcement.

But I will hold my breath.  The odds of OKC voting to give Tulsa $25,000,000 for a museum are slim to none.  I will remain hopefully pessimistic until funding is actually assigned.

[PonderInc]

Am I the only person who isn't thrilled with the concept of a gigantic, throbbing, 3-dimensional, digital billboard in the middle of the Brady District?  Actually, imagine a digital billboard multiplied by about 50 times...and then you have an idea of the streetscape.

Whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.  Or so I hoped.

How much will it cost every time a kid throws a rock at it?  How cool will it look every time one of the panels goes dead?  And how much will it cost to replace? 

Not to mention all the moths and junebugs in your hair....

Don't get me wrong.  I'm excited to hear about a museum in this location.  Just not thrilled with the...uh..architecture (is that what it's called?). 

But you never know.  I hated the BOK Center the first time I saw the drawings, and now I love the design.  I guess time will tell.

[Cats Cats Cats]

Am I the only person who isn't thrilled with the concept of a gigantic, throbbing, 3-dimensional, digital billboard in the middle of the Brady District?  Actually, imagine a digital billboard multiplied by about 50 times...and then you have an idea of the streetscape.

Whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.  Or so I hoped.

How much will it cost every time a kid throws a rock at it?  How cool will it look every time one of the panels goes dead?  And how much will it cost to replace? 

Not to mention all the moths and junebugs in your hair....

Don't get me wrong.  I'm excited to hear about a museum in this location.  Just not thrilled with the...uh..architecture (is that what it's called?). 

But you never know.  I hated the BOK Center the first time I saw the drawings, and now I love the design.  I guess time will tell.

You just hate anything that was made after 1970 thats over 40 feet tall

Hopefully it isn't blinding and it would be much more impressive to put it inside.

[DTowner]

Tulsa World story today on the status of the Oklahoma Popular Music Museum in the Brady District.  If this can happen, this will be an great addition to and draw for the entire Brady District. 

The Oklahoma Historical Society will unveil plans Friday for a $40 million state bond issue to fund a Tulsa music and popular culture museum and a parking garage for the Brady Arts District.

"This is a museum that will be of international status, that will draw attention to Oklahoma as a crossroads of creativity," said Bob Blackburn, executive director of the Historical Society.

The Smithsonian-quality exhibits will draw at least 100,000 paying visitors a year, meaning the museum would be completely self-supporting after the 20-year bond issue is paid off, he predicted.

If the Oklahoma Legislature authorizes the bond sale this year, Blackburn said the museum could open in 2015.

Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20110506_16_A1_CUTLIN831496