The History of the Center...

History of BCC

Flintco Inc., of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was the General Contractor for the construction, which began in December 1979, and was completed in January 1982. The cost of the Center, including land, construction, furnishings, and equipment was nearly $13 million, and was completely paid for on opening day, January 12, 1982. It was immediately recognized as one of the finest performing arts halls in the country - an amazing facility for a community of only 35,000. Funds were secured from private and corporate donations, as well as the proceeds of a 1 % sales tax for a period of three years, which expired November 30, 1981. The building is debt-free and has approximately $3.5 million in an endowment that generates interest income to defray operational costs. The Center is run by a paid staff of nine full-time and five part-time employees, with support from about 400 volunteers.

The Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization directed by a nine member Community Center Trust Authority, which was created in the late 1970's by the Bartlesville City Council. The City is the beneficiary of the Trust and the City Council appoints the members of the Trust Authority. One of the ten members is a member of the City Council.

This 94,000 square foot Center houses a 1,700 seat state-of-the-art-theater with a one-of-a-kind orchestra shell which allows great flexibility for music concerts and dance, as well as intimate theater and touring Broadway extravaganzas. There is also a large and small meeting room and an art gallery.



Description

The Bartlesville Community Center is a unique structure in downtown Bartlesville at the corner of Adams Boulevard and Cherokee Avenue. William Wesley Peters, chief architect of Taliesin and Vice President of The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, designed the Center. The design emphasizes the use of sweeping curves, circles, ovals and acute and obtuse angles; right angles are avoided. Mrs. Wright selected most of the interior decor.

The exterior earth colors are continued inside the Community Center where you will find the world's largest cloisonné mural, over 25 feet long, which shows a stylized northeastern Oklahoma countryside depicted in the four seasons. Crystalline light fixtures are suspended like icicles from the ceiling in Community Hall. The Ted and Melody Lyon Art Gallery presents a constantly changing array of art and photography.

The lower level Studio Theater can host smaller theatrical productions or events.
The Marie Foster Performing Arts Hall is an acoustic delight. Ransom Wilson, Conductor of the Solisti New York Orchestra said, "We've discovered one of the finest concert halls in this country."

In addition to concerts, the Center presents ballet, a wide variety of stage productions, and meeting facilities for a broad spectrum of civic groups. The art gallery presents a constantly changing array of art and photography. The beautiful multi-functional facility is equipped to handle events as large as state conventions, as small as group meetings of fifteen and as varied as beauty pageants and world class international music festivals. Conferences, trade shows, and seminars are easily accommodated with the versatile meeting and breakout rooms available. The Center is a favorite location for family and class reunions, wedding receptions, fund-raising dinners, business meetings, luncheons and corporate conferences.



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