Broken Arrow to build new arts center

Broken Arrow, OK - Together with representatives from AVB Bank, Artsok, and the Brown-kimbrough family, officials from the City of Broken Arrow will break ground Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 2:00 pm on the new Brown-kimbrough Center for Arts, Innovation & Creativity.

“Broken Arrow has long been a community that supports art,” said Mayor Craig Thurmond. “This new facility is a wonderful new public-private partnership that will further allow the arts to flourish in Broken arrow.”

The ceremony will be held at 302 S. Main Street., the future site of the 15,500 square foot facility and the former site of AVB Bank. The two-story center will feature multiple classrooms, flex space, gallery space, and indoor/outdoor areas to host events. The Brown-kimbrough family, owners of AVB Bank, donated the property to the City earlier this year.

The City is working with Artsok, Inc., the non-profit that will occupy the facility, on a use agreement and programming. This innovative space will be a unique destination in the Rose District and will serve to the enjoyment and education of the citizens in the entire metro area.

“The Creative Arts Center will help keep the arts thriving in the Rose District and beyond,” said Mark Frie, Chief Executive Officer at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. “In addition to art classes, event space, and gallery space it will also serve as the home of the Kristin Chenoweth After School Arts program, which will impact hundreds of Broken Arrow students each year.”

Manhattan Construction Company will build the new facility at a cost of $4.7 million, paid for by voter-approved 2014 General Obligation Bonds, Vision 2025 funds, and Sales Tax Capital Improvement (STCI) funds. The facility is expected to open in the fall of 2021.