Omniplex History

For over 35 years, Omniplex Science Museum has been dedicated to the promotion of science and math literacy in Oklahoma. The mission of Omniplex is to "stimulate interest in the sciences through creative, entertaining and educational exhibits and programs."

The Oklahoma Science and Arts Foundation, Inc., was established December 16, 1958, through the combined efforts of representatives from the Oklahoma Public Schools, Board of Education, Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Rotary Club, Frontiers of Science Foundation, Junior League of Oklahoma City, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City University, Tinker Air Force Base, and interested individuals in the community. Its purpose was to offer supplementary educational facilities which could only be provided by the combined efforts of the entire community.

The projects of the Foundation then included a Museum of Science and Arts, a Planetarium (which opened in April of 1960), a Science Department with "creative science" classes and laboratory workshops, an Art Department with studio classes for all ages, and an exhibit area for guided tours of rotating exhibits. The Foundation was then housed in the unused part of the Oklahoma Art Center at the State Fairgrounds.

The new OSAF building was completed and opened in September of 1962. The planetarium proved to be so popular that the John E. Kirkpatrick family provided a permanent dome structure for the planetarium, and the planetarium was opened in the new building that same year. The Academy of Ballet was added to the Science and Arts Museum in the fall of 1962.

In December of 1975, a Citizen's Science Center Planning Committee was established to begin the planning for a new Science Center for Oklahoma City. From their recommendations, Omniplex Science Museum was born. Construction began on Kirkpatrick Center in August of 1976, and after a Capital Fund Drive in December of 1977, Kirkpatrick Center museum complex opened and the foundation, after changing its name to Omniplex Science Museum, became the building's first tenant. Omniplex was dedicated and opened on February 13, 1978.

With completion of a new 40 foot dome, Kirkpatrick Planetarium was moved to the new building, and formally opened April 30, 1978.

From its beginning as an almost entirely volunteer organization, Omniplex Science Museum has grown. Today, Omniplex is the major tenant in the 10-acre Kirkpatrick Center museum complex. Other tenants in the complex include the Oklahoma Air Space Museum, International Photography Hall of Fame, Red Earth Indian Center, Kirkpatrick Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 18 galleries and numerous permanent and traveling exhibitions.