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AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURAL CENTER AND MUSEUM
The American Indian Cultural Center And Museum is a large-scale museum that is currently under construction and will serve as a center of cultural expression for Oklahoma American Indian cultures and heritage. It will offer resources for teaching and sharing the history of Oklahoma’s tribes.
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The Museum is expected to be finished in 2021, and will represent almost 40 tribes that reside in Oklahoma. The Native American Cultural and Educational Authority is responsible for construction and operation of the museum. Their mission is to create an awareness and understanding for all Oklahoma American Indians.
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“We are going to be borrowing over 120 objects from the Smithsonian that were taken from tribes in Oklahoma over 100 years ago,” said James Pepper Henry, executive director of the museum.
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The museum property is on the Oklahoma River near downtown Oklahoma City, off Eastern Avenue at the Interstate 35-40 interchange.
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The Oklahoma City council last August approved an agreement among the city, state, tribe, museum foundation and NACEA that created a framework for completing construction.
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William "Kugee" Supernaw, a member of the Quapaw nation, said the museum and cultural center is a right step in preserving and honoring Native American culture.
The American Indian Cultural Center And Museum is a large-scale museum that is currently under construction and will serve as a center of cultural expression for Oklahoma American Indian cultures and heritage. It will offer resources for teaching and sharing the history of Oklahoma’s tribes.
​
The Museum is expected to be finished in 2021, and will represent almost 40 tribes that reside in Oklahoma. The Native American Cultural and Educational Authority is responsible for construction and operation of the museum. Their mission is to create an awareness and understanding for all Oklahoma American Indians.
​
“We are going to be borrowing over 120 objects from the Smithsonian that were taken from tribes in Oklahoma over 100 years ago,” said James Pepper Henry, executive director of the museum.
​
The museum property is on the Oklahoma River near downtown Oklahoma City, off Eastern Avenue at the Interstate 35-40 interchange.
​
The Oklahoma City council last August approved an agreement among the city, state, tribe, museum foundation and NACEA that created a framework for completing construction.
​
William "Kugee" Supernaw, a member of the Quapaw nation, said the museum and cultural center is a right step in preserving and honoring Native American culture.
Museum Overview - Heather Ahtone
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“This will be one of the most significant cultural institutions to open in the next decade.”
- Kevin Gover, Pawnee (Director, Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian)
Photo courtesy of the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum
Museum Amenities and Exhibitions - Heather Ahtone
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"The roofline forms a dramatically cantilevered curve which is one in a series of circular spirals recurring throughout the project and speaks to Native ideals of harmony and progress in living with the earth,"
- Scott Johnson, Design Partner, Johnson Fain.
Museum Amenities and Exhibitions - Heather Ahtone
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The Museum's Process - Heather Ahtone
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To serve as a living center for cultural expression promoting awareness and understanding for people regarding Oklahoma American Indian cultures and heritage.
- The Center Mission Statement
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“It’s important to our tribes in the future that people realize there are still cultures alive and well in the 21st Century.”
- Kugee Supernaw, Quapaw
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