Institutional Advancement
The American Indian Cultural Center and Museum will be a dynamic
community gathering place, showcasing new ways of exploring and
understanding Native culture and history by presenting and interpreting
both traditional and contemporary stories, customs, and arts. As
construction continues there is a considerable amount of work taking
place simultaneously to breathe life into this new museum and cultural
center experience.
Construction
The American Indian Cultural Center & Museum's construction has continued without interruption since it began in 2006. Two iconic features have increased public awareness of the site. It is hard to miss the 1,000 foot circular earthwork called the Promontory Mound and the 110foot tall structural steel of the Hall of the People. By the end of summer 2010 the public will be able to see the following:
Promontory Mound, Hall of the People, Gallery Buildings, Learning Discovery Center, East Gate Entry, Visitor Center, Central Mechanical Plant and the Loading Docks and Basement.
Community Outreach and Public Programs
The American Indian Cultural Center & Museum staff is consulting with all of the 39 Oklahoma tribes who will be the primary focus of the programs and exhibitions. Community members and tribal staff we have collected a vast amount of tribal recommendations that will help define the educational programs and exhibitions to appropriately reflect the histories and cultures of the tribes in Oklahoma.
American Indian Cultural Center & Museum AICCM entered into a partnership with The Oklahoman to develop content for the Newspapers in Education Native American heritage supplements. The 16 page, large format supplement which comes out twice a year reaches more than 20,000 students and teachers across the state. The first supplements the American Indian Cultural Center & Museum developed the content for focused on Moundbuilding Cultures and Native Foodways. The third supplement in development will highlight traditional native games and how they have influenced contemporary sports.
Arts and Exhibitions
The American Indian Cultural Center & Museum Core Exhibit Team, in consultation with design firm Ralph Applebaum Associates, has advanced the exhibition design to the 50% phase. The team the exhibits. The Core Exhibit Team is currently contextualizing objects and the public art program with the awarding of the first commission to Bill and Demos Glass, a father and son team from Locust Grove, Oklahoma, who are members of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.