Tulsa ART-DECO Museum?

[DowntownNow]

Just to prove a point, I just called the broker listed on the Sinclair building, which is also owned by the same person as the Tulsa Club.  Will Wilkins said that the owner is prepared to sell outright, partner with, or carry a first mortgage for any qualified entity that can provide a supported redevelopment proposal and the financing to back it up. 

In light of what just happened to the Fields building, I asked if the owner had considered razing the building and he said absolutely not, the owner wants to see it redeveloped - that to me is a great thing, dont need another parking lot downtown.  He also went on for a time about the unique nature of the art deco design, Bruce Goff, etc and confirmed a group has already been looking at it for a similar concept.  Said that they had found deco reliefs on some of the concrete work that was covered up by false ceilings over the years - thought that was cool, no telling whats hidden in there.

And by the way, apparently they do read these posts.

[TheArtist]

Just to prove a point, I just called the broker listed on the Sinclair building, which is also owned by the same person as the Tulsa Club.  Will Wilkins said that the owner is prepared to sell outright, partner with, or carry a first mortgage for any qualified entity that can provide a supported redevelopment proposal and the financing to back it up. 

In light of what just happened to the Fields building, I asked if the owner had considered razing the building and he said absolutely not, the owner wants to see it redeveloped - that to me is a great thing, dont need another parking lot downtown.  He also went on for a time about the unique nature of the art deco design, Bruce Goff, etc and confirmed a group has already been looking at it for a similar concept.  Said that they had found deco reliefs on some of the concrete work that was covered up by false ceilings over the years - thought that was cool, no telling whats hidden in there.

And by the way, apparently they do read these posts.

What do you mean by (and confirmed a group has already been looking at it for a similar concept)? Someone else is considering starting an Art-Deco Museum? 

I had a brief conversation with Michelle Place at the Tulsa Historical Society yesterday. She seemed to think that getting a building would actually be the easier part. "No shortage of people willing to have their name on a building", but the more difficult aspect is the every day funding, insurance of the building, board insurance, electric/water/gas/bills, maintenance, etc. etc.  I hope she is right on the first, and that I can be creative enough to ameliorate the problems of the latter. Hopefully a model in which the museum can lease out or rent some of its space could help.

For instance, I would love to have a combo art gallery/contemporary furniture store of my own, keeping the interior and exterior having an art-deco flair, and mixing in a few art-deco items, paintings, etc. for sale to tie in with the theme of the museum. My motivation would be to make a profit obviously, and I would pay my rent to the museum. The museum would be a draw and help my shop, and my shop would add to the experience and "critical mass" of things to see and do with the museum.

Same thing with a Deco cafe/bakery. A profit motivated business paying rent to help fund the museum.

Perhaps the city would be willing to pay a bit of rent to have a small visitor/info center,,, would be a lot better location than where they are at now. Every option is worth considering imo.

A  bookstore in conjunction with the museum gift shop. If we had parking spaces on the property, that could make some money, etc.  Renting out a nice looking space in the museum for events. The annual Deco Ball fundraiser, sponsorships, and so on could all add together to help pay for the day to day expenses.   

And I am sure we could come up with other ideas.

[DowntownNow]

Artist...yes, I had heard the rumor a couple months ago and posted it recently related to this thread.  He said it was a local group but hasnt seen anything else from them lately.  May be worth calling him to see who it was?  I didnt ask, not sure he would tell anyway.

[DowntownNow]

I called 902-0760 FYI

[Cats Cats Cats]

After we get the Art Deco Museum going lets work on our next big thing in Tulsa.  Parking Lot Museum!!

[TheArtist]

Btw, apparently there still is an Art Deco Society up and active in Tulsa, for some reason I thought they had "disbanded" and their website no longer seems to work. But I am going to meet with them today at 5:00 at Elote downtown.  They said anyone with our group is welcome to drop in as well.   

[Cats Cats Cats]

Looking at the cached version I can see why it was taken down..

http://74.125.93.132/search?q=cache:eszZ2-bWvkwJ:www.tulsaartdecosociety.com/id7.html+Art+Deco+Society+tulsa&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

[TheArtist]

 Ok, well, I showed up all excited for the Deco Society thing, nobody else did, went home grumpy and wondering what happened,,, found an e-mail saying "ooops its next wednesday". I wrote back saying "I will be there, and I am sure I wont still be bitter by then"    I had printed up handouts and everything lol. But anywhoo.

Had a great meeting with Ken Busby after lunch today. He was SO helpful. He rattled off a hefty list of possible buildings and spaces that might work and will try to contact each to find out whats possible. I dont want to say what the different spaces are until the potential of each is assessed. Its going to be interesting finding out about these different spaces. Some are very likely to be available,,, but may not be my first choice location wise. Others may be available, for a price, and for a time,,, There is the, this one I like the location better but we may get booted at any moment, or, this one is small but in a great location, will cost us but perhaps some "accommodations" can be worked out. Each option has its potential pluses and minuses so will have to get what info I can and make some decisions. Hopefully will be able to get a decent handle on the different choices within a short amount of time.

Would love to have a space in the Brady District, and it doesnt have to be in a Deco Building or be the permanent location. But the Brady District would be the ideal location to get us started.  Especially if it becomes the Museum/Entertainment district. The Deco Museum should be in the mix there to help Tulsas synergies with creating and marketing such a district.

Things are moving along though,,, and thanks to Sgrizzle for getting a handful of domain names set up. 

[TheArtist]

I will be in Dallas this Tuesday so this months meeting will be held...

6:00 Tuesday the 18th at Joe Mammas.

Have been making some very interesting contacts with some local collectors of Art-Deco. We could have some really neat stuff for this museum. Its surprising what I am finding some people have saved and stashed away in this town lol. One lady I have heard of from a couple of people is "Deco Debby". If anyone knows how I can get in contact with her, let me know.

I did finally meet with the Art-Deco Society.  It appears as though things had drifted for a while and they are now regrouping and reestablishing their mission, goals, etc. They seem like a great group of people. It was an informative meeting and I look forward to being able to work with them as things move along.

On the way out of the meeting I ran into Macy Snyder from the Mayo Hotel. I mentioned the Art-Deco Museum idea and she said they have property that we may want to look at.  I then mentioned the Deco Ball fundraiser and she threw out the possibility of having it perhaps in October in the Mayos Grand Ballroom, which would make it the first big, public event there. I still have to get back in contact with her. She is VERY busy. But what a coup if we could actually wing that .

At this months meeting we should try to get our board started, so will be looking for volunteers. 

[FOTD]

This eats into the available funding for thingys like TBT from private sources ....just fyi.

[TheArtist]

 I hope Tulsas "pie" gets bigger.  Average incomes were up last year  and the areas population is hopefully growing again. Plus, if someone supports the ballet, I would not wish that they would suddenly find this better and not support the ballet.  I think there is plenty of untapped potential in this town. Not everyone is into the same set of things, and having more options can make Tulsa a more interesting and better city.

I also hope that this will not be something that requires a lot of constant "begging for funding". Once it gets going it will be self-supporting, except for say, the Deco Ball (which I hope will be fun entertainment). My goal would be for this to be the start of a regional entertainment attraction. It could be part of a "Museum and Entertainment District" downtown.  Something that brings in people, that has spin off, complimentary, businesses. Something that will help grow the pie and create more wealth for the area, and even the Ballet.

If you support the Ballet with money and cant do more. Then of course don't take away from that and give to this. But if you have a bit of extra time here and there I would welcome any assistance and ideas you could offer. You seem like someone who appreciates the arts and knows something about these things. If you could help us move forward and create something more for Tulsa, and have any ideas that would help us do so without being a burden, but that on the contrary, would help us become a positive addition... It would be greatly appreciated.    I welcome your criticism and definitely take note of your concerns.   

[SXSW]

Have you made any inroads into where the museum could be located?  Tulsa Club? 

[TheArtist]

Have you made any inroads into where the museum could be located?  Tulsa Club? 

Honestly, and fortunately, I have been busy with work these last few weeks so havent been able to beat the streets any. There are a few spots that we likely can get, but I am holding out in the hopes of finding better. Location is important, even for just starting out in a small way. The Tulsa Club would be a great starting spot.  But no, haven't talked to anyone about that space or about how to get ahold of the person who owns it.

This is one reason we need to get a board going and some volunteers. Sometimes I have lots of free time, sometimes not and cant quite do all the follow up work that needs to be done.  I can do about 80% of it, but could use a bit of help here and there lol.

[Conan71]

If you support the Ballet with money and cant do more. Then of course don't take away from that and give to this. But if you have a bit of extra time here and there I would welcome any assistance and ideas you could offer. You seem like someone who appreciates the arts and knows something about these things. If you could help us move forward and create something more for Tulsa, and have any ideas that would help us do so without being a burden, but that on the contrary, would help us become a positive addition... It would be greatly appreciated.    I welcome your criticism and definitely take note of your concerns.   

He's not interested in real solutions, just sitting in his home office with his bong in his lap telling us we are all a bunch of mis-guided wankers.  He's problem-oriented, not solution-oriented.  I'd challenge him to help as well, even donating time, but I think you are wasting your breath.

[TheArtist]

 Just a reminder that we will be meeting Tuesday, 6 pm at Joe Mommas Pizza downtown to chat about museum ideas and hopefully start rounding up a group of hapless victims, I mean, volunteers willing to participate in being on the Art-Deco Museum Board or part of an "informal advisory" group. We should also start writing down a list of, first things first, starter tasks, that need to be done and how to go about doing them, and start mulling over things like mission statements, bylaws, etc.   Yes, I know hardly fun and exciting lol.  But these types of pesky items do have to get done.  Once I get this list of victims, excuse me, board members, the board itself will start having its regular meetings to really get down into the nuts and bolts progress of things. 

Hope to see you there