A new chapter at Philbrook Museum officially opened this month with the debut of the Tandy Pavilion, a flexible new event and gathering space designed to extend activity deeper into the museum’s gardens and create new opportunities for community connection.
The May 8, 2026, ribbon cutting and members-only opening celebration welcomed guests of all ages to experience the pavilion for the first time through music, art-making, interactive installations, and public programming spread across the newly activated southeast corner of the campus.
Developed with support from the A.R. & Marylouise Tandy Foundation, the approximately 6,000-square-foot pavilion and adjoining 2,000-square-foot covered patio establish a new hub for education, events, performances, and recreation within Philbrook’s 26-acre landscape. Tulsa-based Narrate Design partnered with Rios landscape architects to lead the design and Manhattan Construction was the contractor.
The pavilion arrives at a meaningful moment for the institution as Philbrook simultaneously launches its rebrand from Philbrook Museum of Art to Philbrook Art + Gardens — a shift that recognizes the growing role the gardens play in the visitor experience and the organization’s broader mission.
Rather than functioning as a standalone venue, the pavilion was designed as an extension of the gardens themselves: open, flexible, and welcoming to a wide range of uses throughout the year.
Opening day reflected exactly that vision.
Guests gathered for breakfast from Wildflower Café, children explored the interactive Los Trompos installation by Esrawe + Cadena, and live music from Hot Toast Music Co. filled the gardens throughout the morning. New flower beds, shaded gathering areas, and expanded pathways encouraged visitors to move fluidly between the pavilion and surrounding landscape.
Philbrook leadership emphasized the pavilion’s role as both a cultural and community asset — one intended to support rentals and programming while also creating more opportunities for everyday public use.
The project also included broader campus improvements, including lighting, accessibility upgrades, infrastructure enhancements, and expanded outdoor amenities intended to support long-term growth and stewardship across the property.
For Narrate Design, the project represents a continued investment in spaces that bring people together through shared experience. The pavilion balances practical flexibility with a strong sense of place, creating an environment equally suited for performances, nonprofit events, educational programming, celebrations, and informal daily use.
As Philbrook approaches its centennial in 2027, the opening of Tandy Pavilion signals both preservation and momentum: an investment in the next generation of experiences the campus can offer Tulsa.
The pavilion is now open and active with public programming, seasonal events, and private rentals throughout the year.
Read more about the Tandy Pavilion here.
Check out events and plan a visit to Philbrook Art + Gardens here.
