John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick’s early investments in the arts and culture of Oklahoma City continue to live strong in the foundation’s grant-making. Seventy-five percent of all grants are given in arts, culture, and education, including operational support for organizations that our founders considered vitally important: the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Lyric Theatre, and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

The key component of Kirkpatrick Foundation giving reflects tangible quality-of-life issues for the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. From theatre and dance to museums, film festivals, and exhibits, we strive to support a variety of cultural and arts programs for all of central Oklahoma’s citizens and visitors to enjoy.

The deadCENTER film festival is a case in point. In 2010, the event emerged as one of the nation’s most buzzed-about film festivals, experiencing a 38 percent increase in attendance, thanks in part to a film-industry forum and a website redesign, both efforts financed by Kirkpatrick Foundation grants. City-wide screenings, receptions, and film-related events drew participants and film enthusiasts from across the nation.

“Building, supporting, and developing the artistic and cultural activities of our city has been a longstanding priority of the work we do,” says executive director Louisa McCune-Elmore. “Moving forward, we will explore the many ways in which we can serve existing efforts in the arts. We believe that connecting Oklahomans to art will enrich minds young and old and make central Oklahoma a wonderful place to live.”