Possible Downtown Museum

[we vs us]

For what it's worth, I think this project is one of the least compelling of all the things on the docket in the Brady.  The amount of $$, the timing (towards the long-donkey end of a long-donkey recession), and the subject matter ("Tulsa pop culture" is pretty amorphous and might not appeal to a particularly broad base of tourists), all combine to make this a "meh" on paper. 

I'd much prefer the Deco Museum to get some serious state money rather than this fluff. 

[Townsend]

Per the TW the OK legislators are calling this a long shot.  Maybe if they moved it to OKC?

[Oil Capital]

It would be a bond issue not a subsidy and it would be a self sustaining endeavor.

It would be a bond issue repaid by the state.  It is only planned to be self-sustaining operationally; i.e., after the museum is built and paid for.

[SXSW]

I'd much prefer the Deco Museum to get some serious state money rather than this fluff. 

Agree.  The Deco museum could be such a cool attraction.  Oklahoma pop culture just doesn't do it for me.

[sgrizzle]

This museum is part of the Oklahoma Historical Society's master plan. It will get built someday. We can get excited and hope it is built in the Brady or complain about it, and maybe it will get built in OKC. People don't realize how much pop culture and popular artists, musicians and actors come from here. In fact, those people only come from other states with Chuck Norris allows them to (another okie)

[Conan71]

For what it's worth, I think this project is one of the least compelling of all the things on the docket in the Brady.  The amount of $$, the timing (towards the long-donkey end of a long-donkey recession), and the subject matter ("Tulsa pop culture" is pretty amorphous and might not appeal to a particularly broad base of tourists), all combine to make this a "meh" on paper. 

I'd much prefer the Deco Museum to get some serious state money rather than this fluff. 

Let's say I might just be biased but I agree on the Deco Museum.

[Conan71]

And make no mistake--Oklahoma's got a ton of relevant subject matter. 

[we vs us]

Good God.  Look at those choppers.

[DTowner]

I second this. 

Deco is awesome, but the subject matter of this museum will be much more accessible and entertaining to the general public.  It is the sort of attraction that would unify the Brady as an arts/culture/entertainment district and cause feet to be on the downtown sidewalks on a Saturday afternoon.  You can't take your eight year old to a show at the Cain's, but you can take her to a pop music museum. 

And make no mistake--Oklahoma's got a ton of relevant subject matter. 

Absolutely.  The Deco museum sounds cool to me, but the Oklahoma Pop Music/culture museum will drive a lot more traffic into the Brady district.  Indeed, it will probably drive more traffic into Brady than anything other than Oneok Field.  When Tulsa has the Okla. Historical Society pushing to locate a museum in Tulsa, we should all get on board and do what we can to make it happen before the OHS changes its mind.

[SXSW]

Absolutely.  The Deco museum sounds cool to me, but the Oklahoma Pop Music/culture museum will drive a lot more traffic into the Brady district.  Indeed, it will probably drive more traffic into Brady than anything other than Oneok Field.  When Tulsa has the Okla. Historical Society pushing to locate a museum in Tulsa, we should all get on board and do what we can to make it happen before the OHS changes its mind.

Agree, but wish there was something for the Deco Museum as well.  One would help Brady while the other would bring people into the CBD and could tie-in to the architectural walking tours they already do.

[TheArtist]

  Thanks all for the kind words regarding the Tulsa Art Deco Museum.  We are still the new kid on the block, learning the ropes.  The Oklahoma Pop will be a great addition to the Brady Arts district.  Along with the Philbrook and the Gilcrease/TU project in the Matthews Warehouse, the Arts and Humanities Council Project, the Cains Museum, National Fiddler Hall of Fame, Childrens Museum, Energy America (not much talked aobut, but this one I think might suprise ya), and other arts/cultural projects that already exist or are in the works.... will creat a critical mass that will create an actual "Destination" for Tulsa.  A place that people will travel to and expect to spend an entire day seeing different things.

I would like for the Tulsa Art Deco Museum to be in the mix, and a Museum Coalition is in the works and we have been invited to the table.  The idea is to have a large foundation set up that serves all the museums in the area, coordinates events, promotions and advertising, even perhaps funding for different projects, etc.  However, it seems we, the TADM, are in kind of last come last serve situation lol.  But thats ok, we are gonna keep on trucking as if we were not going to get any major funding.  I would rather start something, even something small, and hope to build up, versus only waiting and hoping the big funding comes in some day.

I have even been toying with the idea, and your hearing it first here and my board may kill me lol, but its just a thought, with the idea of doing 2 distinct art deco museums that would compliment each other.  One being the Tulsa Art Deco Museum as a non-profit, then the second being the DECOPOLIS Art Deco Museum/entertainment/shopping idea as a for-profit museum (which if it made a profit could hopefully help support the TADM).  Both types of entities have their pros and cons.

Here is an interesting article on for-profit museums.  

 http://www.aam-us.org/pubs/mn/forprofitmuseum.cfm            

If I had thought of it in the first place, I may have gone with the for profit museum right off the bat.  BUT, there is no guarantee that it would work.  So perhaps by taking both approaches, at least one may take off.  We may get the million dollar donation to get the TADM going some day, and we can continue plugging along starting small and growing upwards, and or perhaps the more fun DECOPOLIS idea could make it.  It wouldn't hurt to have two art deco related destinations, along with our fantastic architecture, to create a little synergy.

One of the reasons I have had to consider splitting my original idea into two parts was, well, pesky little legal stuff.  I can't be on the board of the the very museum that might be selling my artwork with me also hoping to make some profit on that artwork (all of the stuff I have done so far has been paid for by me, like the Christmas Cards, then the totality of the sales have gone to the museum effort) or that would have a business of mine in it (shop, cafe, whatever,).  I couldn't have a shop of mine, in the museum I am on the board of. They would have to be two distinct entities, or I would have to resign and be an "advisor".   To be putting SOOO much time, work and money into a project with no real or legal prospect of any return can kind of take some of the wind out of ones sails.  I would like to have a little more motivation than purely, "wouldn't this be great for the city to have".  I can enjoy using my creativity and talents on both types of efforts, while also giving my entrepreneurial, big dreams side (I wanna be the Deco, Walt Disney of Tulsa, thing lol) an outlet with the for-profit idea.  Just me playing around with possibilities right now though.    

[SXSW]

As an architect, I would hope the Art Deco museum would primarily focus on the architecture of that period as well as the influences (roaring 20's, oil boom, etc).  And of course be located in one of our Art Deco gems.  The ONG building first floor would be an amazing location IMO.

[shaddow]

Just read a blurb on the TulsaWorld website that BOK is donating land in the Brady district for the museum.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20110510_11_0_TheBan447599&rss_lnk=1

[DTowner]

This was from the Tulsa Chamber's Monday Memo - provides a few new tidbits of information:

Oklahoma Museum of Music and Popular Culture comes to center stage, brings widespread support

The Chamber is seeking local and legislative support for the Oklahoma Museum of Music and Popular Culture, a 67,000 square-foot museum dedicated to the creative spirit of Oklahomans.

With a potential site identified in the downtown Brady Arts District, the OK POP Museum has quickly become less of an idea, and more of a hot issue.

The two major motivational factors for establishing the museum are simple: honor the people and culture of Oklahoma, and give Tulsa another economic impact gem similar to ONEOK Field and the BOK Center.

According to the Chamber's economist, Bob Ball, the economic impact could be as much as $56.5 million in the first year of construction, which would also create approximately 213 jobs supporting another 178 jobs. Ball estimates the museum, once up and running, will create 549 jobs, ranging from food service and restaurants to museum staff. These 549 jobs would support an additional 187 positions. Plus, total sales taxes are estimated at $1.8 million.

On top of job growth and local economic impact, the museum's ability to attract visitors and guests would bring an additional boost to the economy, something Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb mentioned at the Chamber's Legislative Briefing Breakfast last Friday. Lamb said the museum's conference alone would bring an additional economic impact.

"Tourism is the third highest grossing industry in our state," said Lamb. "We beat Texas in football; we need to beat them in economic development."

Stories featured in the museum will include Wild West Shows, movies, radio, television, illustration, literature, and Route 66 - all connected to a sense of time and place through the language of music. The OK Pop will be built and managed by the Oklahoma Historical Society, a statewide organization that opened the Smithsonian-affiliated Oklahoma History Center five years ago.

The Oklahoma Historical Society is requesting the $40 million bond issue from the State of Oklahoma, which will be matched by an $8 million private fundraising campaign, which has already been launched with a $1 million challenge grant from the George Kaiser Family Foundation.

As the state delegation weighs bond issues that support the Oklahoma City region, museum advocates are pushing for equal consideration of Tulsa and the OK POP Museum.

"This project is not about Tulsa, but about Oklahomans being proud of Oklahomans," said Mike Neal, president and CEO. "This is a state rich in creative talent and Oklahomans should proudly display its impact on the music and entertainment industries."

Oklahomans like Kristen Chenoweth, Reba McIntyre, Vince Gill and so many others have already pledged their support of the museum, giving the local donations and support a much greater impact.

"Investing in Oklahoma's future now by supporting the OK Pop project will help us leap-frog past states in which we compete for jobs, workforce, and citizens," said Mike Neal, Tulsa Metro Chamber President and CEO. "The return on investment is measured in tax dollars, but this is a top-tier project intended to reinforce our image as a top-tier state in which to do business, visit, work, and raise a family."

[dsjeffries]

And, just like clockwork, it happens again. Oklahoma City takes priority over Tulsa. Screenshot from the Tulsa World:





When are Tulsa's leaders going to stand up to this kind of belligerent malice? When will we tire of always bowing to Oklahoma City's needs when it stifles our own progress?

Heartland Flyer, 1997 - "We need Tulsa's support to make this happen, and we promise that within 10 years, Tulsa will have passenger rail service, too!" "Thanks for your support. We like our rail line but it's too expensive to extend it to Tulsa. Sorry!"

Low-water dams - "We'll give y'all a bunch of money if you vote to sell bonds for the American Indian museum in OKC.... Sike!"

John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park - "We think it's our duty to help fund a reconciliation park. We'll give $3 million if the City of Tulsa can afford $1 million" .. "Well, it's a tight budget year and next year's not looking so good. Guess you'll just have to pay for it yourself."

OSU Medical Center - "You all want healthcare? Why don't you come down to the 14-square-block OU Med Center in OKC. It serves the whole state, don't ya know..." "Well, if George Kaiser will front $5 mil and the City of Tulsa fronts a couple million, I guess we'll throw in some pocket change."

Pop culture museum - "We're including this in a bond package that would give the pop culture museum and the American Indian museum in OKC money" ... "Actually, the OKC project takes priority over anything in Tulsa. Even though we awarded $25 million to the OKC museum two years ago, they need more and you don't need anything."

I'm sick of it.