Today, Tulsa basks in the national and international, entertainment spotlight. With the popularity of the BOK Center, an architectural gem displaying swirling lines, glimmering glass panes and canopy cantilevers that seem to float over the stunning futuristic structure, entertainment events have risen to new heights in the city. Designed by Argentine architect Cesar Pelli, the BOK Center, with 18,500 seats, and an impressive collection of art, valued at $2 million, is already fulfilling its mission as an icon for Tulsa. World-class performers including Paul McCartney, The Eagles, Celine Dion, Billy Joel, Elton John, Carrie Underwood, Neil Diamond, and Britney Spears are ensuring Tulsa’s importance in the entertainment world.
Tulsa’s culture is enhanced by outstanding performances at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, designed by World Trade Center architect Minoru Yamasaki. Occupying half of a city block in historic downtown, the PAC holds four theaters that provide entertainment to more than 300,000 patrons annually. The PAC is home to 13 resident performing arts organizations, a touring Broadway series and renowned international and national performers. Resident groups such as the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, Tulsa Opera, Tulsa Chorale, and Tulsa Ballet present a full season of performances each year.
While these state-of-the-art facilities and their events attract thousands, visitors also enjoy attractions such as the Tulsa Zoo and Oklahoma Aquarium; unique shopping districts; festivals such as Mayfest, Dfest, and Oktoberfest; Pow-Wows; Art Deco architecture; fine dining; Broadway performances; year-around events; extensive hiking trails and parks, including River Parks; gardens; eclectic nightlife at several entertainment districts; and near-by lakes and recreational areas.
Visitors can discover Tulsa’s historical importance in the oil industry with visits to two of the city jewels, the Gilcrease and Philbrook Museums, inspired by oil barons. The Gilcrease is home to the world’s largest, most comprehensive collection of art of the American West, thanks to the vision of Thomas Gilcrease. Oilman Waite Phillips donated his opulent mansion and grounds to the city as an art museum, creating the Philbrook Museum of Art. As you explore the Renaissance-styled mansion, you’ll be amazed at the unique blend of European and American Indian art and delight in the beautiful outdoor gardens.
Tulsa’s culture is enhanced by outstanding performances at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, designed by World Trade Center architect Minoru Yamasaki. Occupying half of a city block in historic downtown, the PAC holds four theaters that provide entertainment to more than 300,000 patrons annually. The PAC is home to 13 resident performing arts organizations, a touring Broadway series and renowned international and national performers. Resident groups such as the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, Tulsa Opera, Tulsa Chorale, and Tulsa Ballet present a full season of performances each year.
While these state-of-the-art facilities and their events attract thousands, visitors also enjoy attractions such as the Tulsa Zoo and Oklahoma Aquarium; unique shopping districts; festivals such as Mayfest, Dfest, and Oktoberfest; Pow-Wows; Art Deco architecture; fine dining; Broadway performances; year-around events; extensive hiking trails and parks, including River Parks; gardens; eclectic nightlife at several entertainment districts; and near-by lakes and recreational areas.
Visitors can discover Tulsa’s historical importance in the oil industry with visits to two of the city jewels, the Gilcrease and Philbrook Museums, inspired by oil barons. The Gilcrease is home to the world’s largest, most comprehensive collection of art of the American West, thanks to the vision of Thomas Gilcrease. Oilman Waite Phillips donated his opulent mansion and grounds to the city as an art museum, creating the Philbrook Museum of Art. As you explore the Renaissance-styled mansion, you’ll be amazed at the unique blend of European and American Indian art and delight in the beautiful outdoor gardens.
Downtown Entertainment Districts
the Arts District (Reconciliation Way, downtown): This hub of the area’s art scene boasts
art galleries, shops, restaurants and nightclubs. The Bob Dillon Center, a premier
museum dedicated to the life and career of the singer-songwriter and the Woody
Guthrie Center, a museum and research center for his life and music are located
in the center of this District.r. Cain’s Ballroom, an historic venue called the
birthplace of Western Swing and the Carnegie Hall of Western Music, is listed on
the National Register of Historic Places. The grand ballroom continues to attract
concert-goers as diverse as the music that draws them here. From glass-blown works
of art to chocolate creations, the Arts District invites shoppers to discover a unique
shopping experience. A few treasures you’ll find here are the Tulsa Glassblowing
Studio, and CFC Chocolatier.
the Blue Dome District: (downtown, between 1st and 3rd, Elgin and Hartford): Once a
1920’s gas station attracting Route 66 travelers with its Art Deco blue dome, this
gem is now the place to enjoy pubs, restaurants and regional bands. Several
festivals take place here including Dfest, the most comprehensive music event of
its kind. The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame is located in Tulsa’s historic downtown
Union Depot and aims to create unity through music. Concerts, classes and cultural
events allow the Hall of Fame to showcase the American art forms of jazz and
blues in this historic location.
Public Art Displays
BOK Center Art Collection (200 S. Denver): There is a 2-million dollar art collection
adorning this icon of Tulsa. Five renowned artists, Joe Andoe, Mark Lewis,
father-son team Bill and Demos Glass, and Kendall Buster have their artwork on
display.
Clayton Coss, chainsaw sculptures (Utica Square Shopping Center, 21st & Utica, and
throughout Tulsa): appearing in hundreds of tree trunks around Tulsa, from school
yards to city parks to the yards of residents. There are several examples in the
Utica Square Shopping Center.
Tulsa Convention Center (6th & Houston): “Continuum” makes the most ephemeral of
seemingly ordinary things with light through a self-generated rainbow of
iridescent tubes, hanging from the ceiling of the Convention Center. “Radiant
Range” is a 100-foot-long stretch of reflective squares on the center’s upper level.
The NatureWorks Sculptures (along Riverside Drive): Impressive displays of nature adorn
Riverside Drive thanks to Tulsa’s NatureWorks, a non-profit organization dedicated
to assisting wildlife conservation efforts. Each year, they honor local supporters of
all things wild and natural with a bronze sculpture donated to the City of Tulsa
and installed in River Parks.
Rosalind Cook’s “Celebrating the Arts” at Harwelden (2210 S. Main): One of Tulsa’s great
artists, Rosalind Cook, has created the perfect sculpture to adorn the home of the
Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa—a dancing jester complete with a cap, bells
and theatrical masks. The animated jester is holding a flute, embracing all things
musical.
Tulsa Historical Society Vintage Garden—The Five Moons (25th & Peoria): A new addition
to the magnificent art adorning the city, “The Five Moons,” was installed on the
grounds of the Tulsa Historical Society’s new home. A group of five larger-than-
life-size bronze statues honor Indians, especially Oklahoma’s five internationally
acclaimed Indian ballerinas: Yvonne Chouteau, Rosella Hightower, Moscelyne
Larkin, Maria Tallchief, and Marjorie Tallchief.
The Tulsa Performing Arts Center Art Collection (110 E. Second): More than 70
individual’s works--paintings, tapestry, prints, sculpture—are home in this
permanent collection. Some of the artists represented are Louise Nevelson, Barbara
Hepworth, P.S. Gordon, Otto Duecker and Daniel Lang. Gracing the Williams Green
near the PAC (3rd & Boston) is Jay O’Melia’s “Oklahoma Indian Ballerina.” This
graceful work, alive with form and movement, honors Oklahoma’s five Indian
ballerinas, all of whom had a lasting and profound impact on the dance world in
Oklahoma, the United States and the world. The PAC also showcases the work of
notable Indian artists like Woody Crumbo, Joan Hill, and Doc Tate Nevaquaya.
Performing Arts Theaters BOK Center, 200 S. Denver bokcenter.com Brady Theater, 105 W. Brady bradytheater.com Broken Arrow Community Playhouse, 1800 S. Main Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N. Main cainsballroom.com Circle Cinema, 12 S. Lewis Clark Theatre, 11440 E. Admiral Heller Theatre, 5328 S. Wheeling hellertheatre.com Living Arts of Tulsa, 307 E. Brady livingarts.org Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame/The Jazz Depot, 111 E. 1st okjazz.org Sapulpa Community Theatre, 124 S. Water sapulpacommunitytheatre.com Theatre Arts, 2034 W. Houston Theatre Tulsa, 207 N. Main theatretulsa.org Tulsa Ballet Theatre, 1212 E. 45th Place tulsaballet.org Tulsa Opera, 1610 S. Boulder tulsaopera.com Tulsa Performing Arts Center, 101 E. 3rd tulsapac.com Tulsa Spotlight Theatre, 1381 Riverside spotlighttheater.org Utica Square, Summers Fifth Night—live music Thursdays during the summer, 21st Street & Utica uticasquare.com VanTrease Performing Arts Center, 10300 E. 81st Walter Arts Center, Holland Hall, 5666 E. 81st hollandhall.com 
Attractions Boston Avenue United, Methodist Church, 1301 S. Boston; bostonavenue.org; distinctive art deco architecture with a 15-story tower The Frank Home, designed by Bruce Goff; a pottery house for the founders of Frankoma pottery, 1300 Luker Lane, Sapulpa Oklahoma Aquarium, 300 Aquarium Drive, Jenks ; okaquarium.org Oxley Nature Center, 6700 Mohawk; oxleynaturecenter.org Redbud Valley Nature Preserve, 16150 Redbud Drive, Catoosa Richardson Asian Art Museum, 4770 S. Harvard; richardsonart.org River Parks, 11th to 101st, along Riverside; riverparks.org Stone Bluff Cellars, 24145 E. 191st, Haskell; stonebluffcellars.com Tulsa Historical Society Museum, 2445 S. Peoria; tulsahistory.org Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum, in Mohawk Park, 6421 E. 36 St., North, tulsazoo.org |
Galleries Alexandre Hogue Gallery of Art, 2930 E. 5th: traveling contemporary art collections and works by local artists in this gallery in Phillips Hall on the University of Tulsa campus. Accent Picture Framing & Gallery, 6008 S. Yale The Antiquary, 1325 E. 15th Art Collections, 3741 S. Peoria Art Gallery and Framing, 3724 S. Peoria Art-N-Style, 1334 E. 41st Art Market, 5014 S. Sheridan Chelsea Gallery, 1639 E. 15th Color Connection Gallery, 2050 Utica Square David Frames Tulsa, 6945 E. 71st Grant’s Frames, 8007 S. Sheridan Gallery Beads, 1521 E. 15th Graphics & Interiors, 7115 S. Yale Interiors Market, 9922 Riverside Joseph Gierek Fine Art, 1512 E. 15th Living Arts of Tulsa, 307 E. Brady Lovett’s Gallery, 6528 E. 51st M A Doran Gallery, 3509 S. Peoria Native American Art, 317 S. Main The Philbrook Museum of Art, 2727 S. Rockford philbrook.org Pierson Gallery, 1307–1311 E. 15th Tulsa Artists Coalition Alternative Gallery, 9 E. Brady Tulsa Glass Blowing Studio, 19 E. Brady Ziegler Picture Framing, 6 N. Lewis 
Shopping Garden Deva Sculpture Company (317 S. Trenton): A one-of-a-kind gallery with adjacent metal shop featuring sculptures ranging from whimsical figures and funky flowers to Deva pets and art that hangs. Gilcrease Museum Shop (1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Rd.): Peruse collections of Native American art, bronze statues, turquoise, coral and silver jewelry, Indian and Western American books and a variety of clothing. The Farm Shopping Center (51st & South Sheridan): this tree-lined center features a restored rustic barn and boardwalk-style walks between shops. Contains more than 40 national, regional, local retailers plus an assortment of restaurants. Main Street, Jenks (west of the Arkansas River, on 91st Street): Wander the many antique shops in the heart of the Jenks downtown district. Stroll along RiverWalk Crossing, on the banks of the Arkansas River, and enjoy the fine dining, shopping venues, a state-of-the-art movie theater, and live entertainment. Philbrook Museum Shop (2727 S. Rockford Rd.): The Museum Shop offers a large selection of art-related books and merchandise, jewelry, and museum exhibit-inspired items. Tulsa Hills West 71st & U.S. Highway 75 South): The city’s largest retail development since the 1970’s offering 1.5 million square feet of retail space. Utica Square, 21st Street & Utica: offers a variety of upscale local and national retail shops and restaurants. This outdoor shopping center features beautiful landscaping, water fountains, English telephone booths, wrought iron benches and Old World tower clocks. Woodland Hills Mall (71st & South Memorial): the largest mall in the region with more than 165 specialty shops and four major department stores |
