News

OKLAHOMA CITY, March 28, 2019 –  The Oklahoma City Airport Trust today approved and authorized the negotiation of an agreement with local artist Matt Goad for the Public Art Project that will be part of the Will Rogers World Airport Terminal Expansion Project.

“I’m extremely honored to be selected for this important project which will represent the city I love and call home,” says Matt Goad.  “Oklahoma City and its heritage offers an amazing “whirlwind” of stories.  I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring those stories to visitors of the airport.” 

“One of the key goals of a public art project in the airport is to create a ‘sense of place,’ said Mark Kranenburg, airports director.  “OKConnected” establishes a strong identity with our community.  It will be a signature piece for our airport and for Oklahoma City.” 

The vote today was the culmination of a months-long process that began in August 2018 when a “Call to Artists” was issued by the Trust.  The Call sought a professional artist or team of artists to design, and oversee installation of architecturally-integrated works for two specific sites in the terminal expansion project. Site one is the terrazzo flooring located in the new lobby area in front of the new security checkpoint. Site two is a public circulation area located on the mezzanine level and where a glass wall extends the length of the access corridor and seating area.

Thirty-five complete entries from national and international artists were received.  A six-member selection jury representing the Trust, architect, Oklahoma City Arts Commission, professional artists, airport and airport stakeholders, conducted a blind-review of all the submissions and short-listed five finalists.  The finalists attended a mandatory meeting in Oklahoma City to learn more about the project and the community.  The finalists presented their designs to the jury on February 25, 2019.  Based on criteria outlined in the solicitation, “OKConnected” by Matt Goad was determined to best meet the criteria for both locations of the project.  The selection was reviewed by the Oklahoma City Arts Commission which approved the jury’s recommendation to the Trust.

Goad’s winning design, entitled “OKConnected”, tells the story of OKC’s unique beginnings then bridges to the present celebrating the City’s colorful cultures and industries. 

“OKConnected is the story of Oklahoma City, designed as a welcome mat for the city’s front door: Will Rogers World Airport,” says Goad. “Here, the concept of connection is more than the typical connotation one might have with an airport. More than merely people to places. It’s a connection of past to present, of present to future, and of earth to sky. A connection of Oklahoma City to the world.”

Goad will work closely with the airport, architect and general contractor to finalize the design and oversee the installation.  Completion of both projects is expected to be second quarter of 2021.

Goad’s entire presentation and design can be found at flyokc.com.

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