The museum must raise $18 million by Nov. 15 to access an identical amount appropriated by the Legislature last year. The new law created by House Bill 2673 allows OKPOP to count binding pledges toward that $18 million goal, which will allow the museum to access an identical amount appropriated by the Legislature last year.
New Law Leaves OKPOP With Just $3 Million Left To Raise In Matching Funds
A House bill that expanded the eligibility of donations and allowed multi-year pledges to count toward an Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture fundraising goal helped push the yet-to-open OKPOP closer to the finish line for completion.
With the new law allowing $14.83 million to count toward that goal, OKPOP is at 82% of its goal, with $3.17 million to be raised in the next six months.
“This moment marks the most significant step forward we’ve had since the state first established the matching fund,” said Tom Evans, interim board chair and Finance Committee chair of the OKPOP Foundation. “It’s a turning point, the moment that takes us from theory to reality.”
A news release said the OKPOP Foundation, which leads fundraising efforts, has $2 million in proposals currently under consideration, providing a “clear path” to meeting the deadline for the final $3.17 million.
“We’ve spent years building support for OKPOP and creating a campaign that reflects Oklahoma’s cultural legacy,” said Abby Kurin, managing director of the OKPOP Foundation. “With this bill now law, we have a clear path forward and the momentum we need to share that legacy with the world.”
The news release credits strong bipartisan support for House Bill 2673, which passed the House in March and the Senate in April before being sent May 12 to Gov. Kevin Stitt.
The governor has five days to review bills during the legislative session. If the governor doesn’t sign during the five-day period, the bill automatically becomes law. House Bill 2673 went unsigned and became law May 18.
Abegail Cave, Stitt’s communications director, was asked why the governor chose not to sign the bill. She provided this statement: “The governor reviews every bill on a case-by-case basis. If a bill aligns with Oklahoma values and his priorities for the state, he’ll sign it. If he has concerns but doesn’t believe a veto is warranted, he may allow it to go into law without his signature. Generally speaking, (a law without signature) shows his respect for the legislative process while signaling that the bill isn’t a top priority or that he has reservations.”
Trait Thompson, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, said that “the provisions of HB 2673 put us in a great position to finish the fundraising campaign for OKPOP and get this world-class museum on its way to opening.”
“I am grateful to Speaker (Kyle) Hilbert and Senator (Chuck) Hall for their leadership in getting this measure through the Legislature and to Gov. Stitt for allowing it to become law,” Thompson said. “The fascinating stories of Oklahoma’s musicians, writers, filmmakers, actors and its entire creative community deserve to be told, and we are well on our way to making that a reality thanks to this bill.”
Located across the street from Cain’s Ballroom in downtown Tulsa’s Arts District, OKPOP looks — from the exterior — to be a finished project, but the interior of the museum still must be developed.
According to information distributed at a November news conference, of the $36 million budget for the museum’s completion, $1.5 million will be used for acquisitions and preservation; $4.475 million will be used for building expenses, salaries and parking improvements; $20.475 million will be used for exhibit fabrication/installation, programming development and other development; $9 million will be used for design and consulting fees, plus construction management; and $550,000 will be used for marketing expenses and opening events.
Once finished, OKPOP will pay tribute to Oklahoma creatives from all walks of popular culture.
“It’s hard to put into words what this means,” OKPOP Museum’s executive director, Jacob Krumwiede, said in relation to HB 2673 and its impact.
“For all of us who have been working behind the scenes, this moment is about more than funding — it’s about the people who have believed in this project through every twist and turn. We are almost there.”
Continuing, Krumwiede said: “We extend our sincere thanks to legislative champions Rep. Kyle Hilbert and Sen. Chuck Hall, as well as the many supporters and advocates who helped bring this bill across the finish line. We could not have done it without you.”
While moving forward with fundraising efforts, the OKPOP team is continuing to acquire items and conduct interviews for museum use.
Once fully funded, the design and buildout phase will begin with an anticipated opening of about 24 months after funding, according to OKPOP.
