‘Oklahoma Pop’ Museum Coming to Tulsa

One day after the Cain’s Ballroom Music Museum was announced fund raising efforts, the Oklahoma Historical Society announced their plans for “Oklahoma Pop”, a museum about Oklahoma’s contributions to music and popular culture. The museum will also be located in the Brady Village District near downtown Tulsa.

“Tulsa is already home to great musicians who have worldwide success. The new museum will help us market Tulsa as a magnet for artists, tourists and conventions.” - Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor

Music, radio, television, movies and stage will be the focus of the museum. The museum will be 45,000 square feet, and will include a roof top café, a gift shop, 16,000 square feet of museum exhibits and 7,000 square feet for special events.

“Popular culture is all around us. It’s the image we think we know about our community. Popular culture is the creativity that emanates from our people. It helps create our shared memory.” - Dr. Bob Blackburn of the Oklahoma Historical Society

The building design will draw influences from Hard Rock Cafe, Hollywood and Times Square. There will be a 50-foot by 80-foot LED video screen at the front of the building for video presentations and announcements.

The project will cost $33 million, with $28 million coming from the state and another $8 million from the private sector. The Kaiser Family Foundation has already donated a $1 million challenge grant to kick off the fundraising effort.

“I think ‘Oklahoma Pop’ will become a centerpiece for the development of the Brady Village. This museum not only will enhance Tulsa’s image as a center for the arts but also contribute to the economic development of the north-side district.” - Ken Levit, president of the George Kaiser Family Foundation

Leaders hope to open “Oklahoma Pop” to the public in the summer of 2013.

After the jump, more artist renderings for the museum.

From oklahomarock.com