From ancient archaeological artifacts of Central and South America, to manuscripts that document European contact and the birth of our country, to the renowned assemblage of American art that tells the story of this country’s native peoples and westward expansion, the Gilcrease collection is remarkable in its quality and scope.

Sharing this incredible collection and the stories it holds has proven to be a challenge due to space constraints that allow about five percent of the collection to be displayed at any given time.

We now seek your partnership as we embrace this historic new phase in the life of Gilcrease Museum.

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The Campaign for Gilcrease

Voters approved the Vision Tulsa package in April 2016 that included a transformational $65 million capital expansion project for Gilcrease Museum. Since then, an additional $10 million gift was made by the A.R. and Marylouise Tandy Foundation elevating the total investment to $75 million. This historic project will result in a major renovation and expansion of the museum – without raising taxes.

In keeping with the strategic plan developed by Gilcrease Museum and a promise to the citizens of Tulsa, The University of Tulsa, the museum’s managing partner, has launched The Campaign for Gilcrease to raise $50 million to operate the expanded museum.

TU is well-positioned to undertake this endeavor having managed Gilcrease Museum on behalf of the City of Tulsa since 2008, and in addition to improving the facilities and expanding programs, has raised more than $68 million in private funding for the museum. TU also funded, built and opened the Helmerich Center for American Research next door, which houses the Gilcrease archive and is dedicated to revealing discoveries contained within through research conducted by scholars from around the world.

Campaign Goal: $115,000,000

Gifts of support for Gilcrease will be sought for the following areas:

An expanded museum will provide for the reinterpretation of the permanent collection in modern gallery spaces. Naming opportunities will be offered to donors at various levels of giving. Gifts of a transformational level will be recognized with prominent placement in the new facility. Recognition will be dependent on the level of the gift and oftentimes on the associated physical space. Campaign donors will also be recognized on the Gilcrease website and in various publications. Donors may request anonymity.

Destination Gilcrease

“Every man must leave a track and it might as well be a good one.”
– Thomas Gilcrease

Gilcrease Museum is a breathtaking, visual testament to the lifelong quest of Thomas Gilcrease to share the story of the Americas. An expanded Gilcrease Museum will add to Tulsa’s growing cultural tourism draw — a draw that is reinforced by the thriving Tulsa Arts District, Woody Guthrie Center, and the BOK Center, which has joined with the historic venues of Cain’s Ballroom and the Brady Theater to grow a vibrant music scene. With the recent acquisition of the Bob Dylan Archive, now housed on the Gilcrease campus, Tulsa is forging a distinctive identity as a diverse arts and culture destination.

Campaign Cabinet

Hans Helmerich – Co-chair
Jon Stuart – Co-chair

Teresa Adwan
Max N. Berry
Robert Boswell
Cynthia Stephenson Field
Randy Foutch
Cheryl Groenendyke
Elizabeth Griot Hagans
Marcia Mayo
Sherman E. Smith Family Charitable Foundation
Maxine Zarrow and the Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Foundation

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