Gilcrease Museum to Reopen in March 2027 with New Facility

The Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma, will reopen its doors in March 2027 following the completion of a new, purpose-built facility. The museum, founded by Muscogee (Creek) Nation citizen Thomas Gilcrease, aims to deepen its engagement with tribal nations and present its extensive collection of over 300,000 works related to the history and culture of the Americas.

The new 95,673-square-foot facility, designed by SmithGroup, is intended to accommodate the museum's mission of fostering a dialogue between Indigenous and settler art and culture. This vision was part of Gilcrease's original intent when he established the museum in 1949.

"Seventy-five years later, we're giving that idea a building big enough to hold it," said Brian Lee Whisenhunt, executive director and CEO of Gilcrease. The museum's collection spans 12,000 years and includes artifacts and artworks from across the Americas, supported by ongoing collaborations with living communities.

Gilcrease also houses the Helmerich Center for American Research, providing access to archival materials for scholars. Owned by the City of Tulsa, the museum has been stewarded by The University of Tulsa for nearly two decades. Details on specific exhibitions and programs for the reopening will be announced in the coming months.