Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture closer to reality

TULSA, Okla. (AP) – State historians will finally have a space to display some of the 100,000 artifacts they’ve collected to help tell the story of Oklahoma’s contributions to popular culture.

In the six years since the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture has been a concept, it’s been criticized by some as a vanity project and a waste of money.

But backers of the museum, nicknamed OKPOP, say the facility would support itself, draw about 100,000 visitors a year to its location in Tulsa’s Brady Arts District and have a $19 million economic impact.

Lawmakers approved a $25 million bond issue for the project on Friday, saying it would be a fitting salute to Oklahoma artists.

The bill authorizing the bond sale heads to Governor Mary Fallin, who is expected to sign it.