Oklahoma City Museum of Art Receives Grant for Art Conservation, Enhancing Local Cultural Heritage

The Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA) has received a grant from Bank of America’s Art Conservation Project. This grant will be used to conserve a 1965 acrylic painting, 'Khufu' by Sam Gilliam, from the museum's permanent collection. The painting was one of 24 artworks selected for funding in 2024. Other recipients include The Portland Art Museum, The Chrysler Museum, and The National Gallery in London.

Bank of America's Art Conservation Project aims to preserve significant artworks. Tony Shinn, president of Bank of America Oklahoma City, expressed satisfaction with the partnership with OKCMOA. Sam Gilliam (1933-2022), the artist of 'Khufu', was a key figure in the Washington Color School. His work was the first contemporary piece by a Black artist in the original Washington Gallery of Modern Art (WGMA) collection.

The OKCMOA bought 'Khufu' in 1968 from the WGMA’s 154-piece collection. The painting, last displayed in 2018, needs conservation due to damage and soiling. Maury Ford, OKCMOA’s director of collections and exhibitions, is enthusiastic about the conservation opportunity.

The conservation process will start before June 30 and is expected to last six months. Once conserved, 'Khufu' will be a key part of the Museum’s permanent collection. The grant is part of Bank of America's wider effort to preserve and share significant art.

This is the second grant OKCMOA has received from Bank of America’s Art Conservation Project, following a 2019 grant for the conservation of Gardner Hale's 'Triumph of Washington'. Bank of America has been a partner of the Oklahoma City Museum of Art for over 25 years, supporting projects like the Art Conservation Project and the Museums on Us program, which offers free access to Bank of America cardholders on the first full weekend of every month since 2011.

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