The University of Tulsa

“Rarely have I ever witnessed a space as magnificent, humbling and welcoming as the Hardesty Arts Center. It manages to both celebrate the origins and history of its surrounding neighborhood while re-imagining the role of the arts in building a community-based, creative hub for the 21st Century. ”

- Alex Sarian, Director of Finance & New Business, Lincoln Center Education, New York City

Hardesty Arts Center

The University of Tulsa

The Building That Helped Shape the Tulsa Arts District

When the Hardesty Arts Center opened in 2012, it was the first flagship building in what would grow into today’s thriving Tulsa Arts District. Designed as a destination for exhibitions, education, studios, and community engagement, the building helped establish a new cultural anchor for downtown Tulsa and demonstrated the important role architecture can play in neighborhood revitalization.

Created through close collaboration with artists, educators, and community leaders, the building was designed around the creative process itself. Flexible studios, gallery spaces, classrooms, and gathering areas supported artists at every stage of their work while inviting the public to participate in Tulsa’s growing arts community. Taking cues from the district’s industrial heritage, weathering steel, exposed concrete, structural steel, and expansive glazing established a timeless architectural language rooted in its historic context.

Created by Artists for Artists

Designed to Evolve with the Community

While the original Hardesty Arts Center closed in 2022, the building’s story continues. In 2023, The University of Tulsa acquired the property, ensuring this landmark remains an active part of the Tulsa Arts District. Today, the building houses the Oklahoma Center for the Humanities, Tulsa Mayfest offices, galleries, community events, and university programming—continuing its original mission of bringing people together through the arts and humanities.

Thoughtfully designed with flexible spaces and an enduring material palette, the building has successfully adapted to a new chapter while remaining true to its original purpose. More than a decade after opening, it remains a vibrant destination where creativity, education, and community intersect.

FAQ: Hardesty Arts Center

Q: What was the Hardesty Arts Center originally designed for?
A: The Hardesty Arts Center was designed as a multidisciplinary arts facility supporting exhibitions, artist studios, classrooms, community programs, and creative collaboration. It was envisioned as the flagship building of the emerging Tulsa Arts District.

Q: Who occupies the Hardesty Arts Center today?
A: Today, the building is owned by The University of Tulsa and houses the Oklahoma Center for the Humanities, Tulsa Mayfest offices, galleries, university programming, community events, and additional arts-related uses.

Q: Why is the Hardesty Arts Center important to downtown Tulsa?
A: As one of the first major civic buildings constructed in the Tulsa Arts District, the Hardesty Arts Center helped establish the district as a destination for arts, culture, and community while contributing to the neighborhood’s continued revitalization.

Q: How did the building’s design support artists?
A: The design was shaped through collaboration with local artists and arts organizations, resulting in flexible studios, gallery spaces, classrooms, and gathering areas that support both the creative process and public engagement.

Q: What architectural materials define the building?
A: The building reflects the industrial character of the Tulsa Arts District through weathering steel, exposed concrete, structural steel, and expansive glazing. These durable materials reinforce the neighborhood’s historic identity while creating a timeless contemporary expression.