Exploring Cultural Opportunities in Tulsa, Oklahoma

The city of Tulsa, Oklahoma is home to a wideThis impressive home was completed in 1927.
variety of art museums and other museums thatFriends say that the Phillipses built the villa as a
place an emphasis on art, culture and history. Inplace where their two children could entertain
fact, the city places such importance on the artsfriends. When they moved in, daughter Helen was
that 1% of the city's annual budget has beensixteen, son Elliott was ten.
going toward public displays of artwork sinceGilcrease Museum
1969. To that end, sculptures created by localThe Gilcrease Museum features the art collection
artists are put on display along the Arkansasof oil man Thomas Gilcrease, which he first made
River trail system each year as well as in theavailable to public viewing in 1949. The museum,
city's parks and at the Tulsa County Fairgrounds.which is found in downtown Tulsa, is home to the
In addition to the sculptures and other works oflargest and most complete collection of American
art throughout the city, there are severalWest art in the world. The museum also includes
museums for the arts and culture lover to selectartifacts and art from South American and
from as well.Central America.
Philbrook MuseumSherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art
The Philbrook Museum, which was completed inThe Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art, which
1927 founded by oil pioneer Waite Phillips, iswas founded in 1966, houses the largest collection
considered by many to be one of the top 50 fineof Jewish art in the Southwest. The museum was
art museums in the country. Visitors to thefounded with the purpose of helping the local
Philbrook Museum can enjoy art from around theJewish community better understand its heritage
world and artistic styles, including artwork fromwhile helping other learn more about the Jewish
19th Century European artists, Renaissance art,culture and history.
Baroque art, Native American art and African art.Historical Museums
The museum is also one of only five artIn addition to the numerous art museums, Tulsa is
museums to include an art collection as well as aalso home to many other historical museums. The
historic home and gardens.Tulsa Air and Space Museum, for example, offers
In 1926 Edward Buehler Delk (1885-1956), a19,000 square feet of exhibits that highlight the
Kansas City architect, was hired to design ancity's history in aviation. Hands-on exhibits as well
Italian Renaissance villa on 23 acres by oilmanas exhibits of vintage aircraft are central features
Waite Phillips. Delk skillfully interpreted Renaissanceof the museum. The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame,
styles in the most fashionable manner of the dayon the other hand, offers visitors a look at the
and was hired in a burst of commissions withcity's jazz musicians while the Greenwood Cultural
three major projects at once: Villa Philbrook, VillaCenter celebrates African American heritage.
Philmonte and the Philtower office building.