TULSA, Okla. — After more than five years of anticipation, Gilcrease Museum announced today that it will reopen to the public in March 2027. Visitors will return to a reimagined experience featuring one of the most significant collections of art, history and culture in the Americas.
Closed since July 4, 2021, Gilcrease is undergoing a $140.9 million transformation following the demolition of its original facility. The reopening marks a new chapter for one of Oklahoma’s treasured cultural institutions.
More than 75 years after Thomas Gilcrease (Muscogee, 1890–1962) established the museum in Tulsa, the reopening brings together the museum, Helmerich Center for American Research, historic Thomas Gilcrease House, and surrounding landscape as a destination for research, learning, and public engagement.
A New Chapter for Gilcrease
Gilcrease promises to be UNPARALLELED: Bringing art, history and people together to understand the diverse heritage of the Americas. Visitors are invited to explore more than 300,000 items spanning 12,000 years across the Western Hemisphere. The collection encompasses Anglo-American, Indigenous and colonial Latin American art and history. Forms include paintings, sculptures, photographs, manuscripts, rare books and material culture.
“Gilcrease has long been a place where art, history and people come together to tell the many interconnected stories of the Americas,” said Brian Lee Whisenhunt, executive director and CEO of Gilcrease. “The reopening marks an extraordinary moment not only for Tulsa, but for the entire nation. We have thoughtfully reimagined Gilcrease, creating new and meaningful connections while honoring the many cultures and voices that make this collection truly unparalleled.”
Nestled within Tulsa’s Osage Hills, the museum features 14 permanent collection galleries designed for self-guided exploration. Galleries present interconnected stories through Indigenous, American West, Latin American, and other cultural perspectives. Visitors can also explore 460 acres of natural landscape connected by 14 miles of hiking and biking trails.
“The opening of Gilcrease will soon be a reality because Tulsans believed in the future of this incredible asset,” said Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols. “Gilcrease reflects what we can accomplish when Tulsa works together with partners across our region and honors the sovereign tribal nations whose histories and cultures are an essential part of the story that Gilcrease tells.”
For nearly two decades, the University of Tulsa has stewarded Gilcrease. Caring for the collection while expanding research and scholarly access have been top priorities. UTulsa faculty have made discoveries within the archives and partnered with scholars around the world.
Memberships Now Available
Annual memberships are now available. Through membership, supporters can help usher in a new era for the museum. Members will receive exclusive preview days and year-round benefits.
Membership options include:
- Core Memberships — Individual, Dual, and Family levels with annual admission benefits, exclusive communications, and opportunities to connect with Gilcrease.
- Gilcrease 365 Membership — A dollar a day for Gilcrease, with expanded household benefits, reciprocal benefits, discounted guest admission and enhanced access.
- Gilcrease Collection Circles — Personalized experiences offering access to museum staff, collections and experiences tailored to members’ interests.
Conceptualization of museum interior.
Gilcrease is a leading center for preservation, collections stewardship and scholarship. The Helmerich Center provides researchers, students and communities with access to extensive archives and scholarly resources.
Additional details about opening weekend, exhibitions and visitor experiences will be announced in the coming months. For more information, memberships, and reopening updates, visit gilcrease.org.