First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City can add a prestigious Americas Award for Excellence from the Urban Land Institute to its trophy cases.
The award makes it one of 10 projects that institute judges deemed exceptional in design, planning, technology, amenities, economic impact, management, community engagement, innovation, sustainability, marketplace acceptance and other characteristics.
The 175,000-square-foot museum, on 280 acres along the Oklahoma River southeast of Interstate 40 and Interstate 35, opened in September 2021 after 30-plus years of delays. The grand opening over several days attracted dignitaries and cultural ambassadors, including representatives from all 39 Native American tribes based in Oklahoma.
"In one place, visitors experience the collective histories of 39 distinctive First American Nations in Oklahoma today," FAM says online. "First Americans Museum shares the cultural diversity, history, and contributions of the First Americans."
The Urban Land Institute named nonprofit First Americans Museum — FAM — as one of 20 finalists for the award in April, and announced it as a recipient late Thursday. The awards "recognize superior development efforts in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors."
"We're just absolutely ecstatic to be recognized among such a prestigious group of peers," said Shoshana Wasserman, deputy director of the museum and a member of the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town and Muscogee Nation. "It really speaks to the national and international importance of this museum."
FAM, started by the state, was completed by a partnership between the state and the city of Oklahoma City, with help of a Chickasaw Nation subsidiary, the American Indian Cultural Center Foundation and numerous donors.
Design architect was Johnson Fain, with Scott Johnson as design partner and William H. Fain, Jr. as managing partner/director of urban design and planning.
First Americans Museum features and attractions that impressed Urban Land Institute judges for the ULI's Awards of Excellence
The institute highlighted several features of the First Americans Museum in recognizing it with an Award of Excellence.
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"The spiral mound represents the earth and nature, the buildings express man-made technologies. The structures are clad in light-colored steel and will lighten over time. The Exterior corten steel railings will age into a rust color corresponding with the red earth of Oklahoma."
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"The Hall of The People, a 110-foot-tall prismatic glass structure, serves as a starting point for visitors and a central gathering space. Its form is inspired by a Wichita grass lodge and represents the 10 miles per day that native people were forced to walk during their expulsion."
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"A stainless-steel sculpture called 'A Touch to Above' welcomes visitors upon arrival into the Courtyard. Flanking the entrance to the left side is the FAM Center, which features educational activities."
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"The FAMstore, and the FAM Theater, feature a stage and 159 retractable seats for performances and special events. The Xchange Theater features a 50-foot-wide by 13.5-foot-tall video wall comprising 191 screens that showcase dynamic programming."