Greyson Chance, raised in Edmond, will be one of the featured artist in a new statewide museum called OKPOP, the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture.
“The rest of the world knows Greyson Chance as a creative young musician,” said Bob Blackburn, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, “but we know him as an Oklahoman who expresses the rich cultural heritage of his family, his hometown and his native state.”
While only in sixth grade, Chance became an internet sensation after uploading a video of himself playing and singing a cover of Lady Gaga’s song “Paparazzi” in 2010. Appearances on talk show “Ellen” further launched his career. He released the single, “Waiting Outside the Lines” (2010) and in 2011 he released his first album, “Hold on Til’ the Night.” In addition to his music, Chance also has appeared on the TV show “Raising Hope.”
Other Edmond natives to be featured at the OKPOP museum include All-American Rejects members Mike Kennerty and Chris Gaylor. In addition, former Nixons and current Seether drummer John Humphrey, who resides in Edmond, has donated items to the new museum.
The OKPOP, located at the corner of Cincinnati and Archer in the Brady Arts District of downtown Tulsa, is expected to take four years to design, build and furnish.
The Oklahoma Historical Society, which built and manages the Oklahoma History Center at the State Capitol as a public-private partnership, is requesting a $42.5 million bond issue from the State of Oklahoma.
Jeff Moore, director of the new museum, says the location in Tulsa is critical to the success of the museum. Investments topping $100 million have already been made in the Brady Arts District, where BOK has donated the land for the OKPOP Museum.
“First, we have to raise $40 million over the life of the bond issue and then we plan to generate enough income from visitors, special events, and fund raising to operate the museum without an annual appropriation,” Moore said. “The only location that allows us to do that is in the Brady Arts District of Tulsa not far from Route 66.”
If a bond issue is authorized this year, the 75,000-square-foot museum will open in 2016.
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