Broken Arrow Breaks Ground on Brown-Kimbrough Arts Center

Together with representatives from AVB Bank, ArtsOK, and the Brown-Kimbrough family, officials from the City of Broken Arrow broke ground Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 2:00 p.m. on the new Brown-Kimbrough Center for Arts, Innovation & Creativity. “Broken Arrow has long been a community that supports art,” said Mayor Craig Thurmond. “This new facility is a wonderful new public-private partnership that will further allow the arts to flourish in Broken Arrow.”

The ceremony was held at 302 S. Main Street, the future site of the 15,500 square foot facility and the former site of AVB Bank. The two-story center will feature multiple classrooms, flex space, gallery space, and indoor/outdoor areas to host events. The Brown-Kimbrough family, owners of AVB Bank, donated the property to the City earlier this year.

Ted Cundiff, AVB Bank President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “From Indian Territory to statehood and present day, the Brown-Kimbrough family has demonstrated a generational commitment to community and exemplified the Bank’s mission to SERVE, CONNECT and SUCCEED TOGETHER.”

Cundiff added, “AVB is proud to play a role in our City’s shared goal to make the arts accessible to everyone…and positively impact the creative health and growing economy of our community. I am honored to witness this moment in history and excited to know future generations can be inspired through this bold project.”

The City is working with ArtsOK, Inc., the non-profit that will occupy the facility, on a use agreement and programming. This innovative space will be a unique destination in the Rose District and will serve to the enjoyment and education of the citizens in the entire metro area.

“I am so pleased to see this project finally come to fruition. This has been years in the making, and it is another great example of what can be accomplished in a public-private partnership. The commitment of AVB Bank and the City of Broken Arrow, along with the citizens of Broken Arrow, donors from across the state, Kristin Chenoweth and ArtsOK, have turned this dream into a reality,” said Mark Frie, Chief Executive Officer at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

Frie added, “The Creative Arts Center will help keep the arts thriving in the Rose District and beyond. In addition to art classes, event space, and gallery space, it will also serve as the home of the Kristin Chenoweth After School Arts program, which will impact hundreds of Broken Arrow students each year.”

Kelley Kimbrough-Rash, AVB Bank Chairman of the Board, said, “Creativity is a journey. EXCITEMENT.  WONDER. DISCOVERY. PASSION. JOY.  …all of these create the fuel that drives the journey. Everyone has the ability to think creatively. Not everyone has the tools at hand. Not everyone has the place or means.” Rash continued: “The Brown-Kimbrough Center for Arts, Innovation & Creativity provides that place and the means…where children, youth and adults can come to be inspired and let their imaginations run wild… A PLACE TO CREATE.”

Manhattan Construction Company will build the new facility at a cost of $4.7 million, paid for by voter-approved 2014 General Obligation Bonds, Vision 2025 funds, and Sales Tax Capital Improvement (STCI) funds. The facility is expected to open in the fall of 2021.