History
1933
The Postal Plaza building, designed by R. W. Shaw, was built with U.S. Government
Treasury funds to serve as a Federal Post Office.
1967
There was an addition to the building on the north side. The facade of the original building can still be seen from some parts of the Malinda
Berry Fischer Gallery. When standing in the Malinda Berry Fischer Gallery (in the
northernmost part of the building), look up and toward the south. The exposed brick
that can be seen is the outside of the original building.
1978
The building stopped functioning as a Post Office. The Postal Plaza then became the
home to a collection of law offices, congressional offices, businesses, and religious
youth programs. Meanwhile, Doel Reed, the OSU Art Department Head, began collecting art for Oklahoma State University
in the 1930s. Over time, the collection outgrew its home in the Art Department and Gardiner Gallery.
2010
In June, the OSU Regents approved the purchase of the Postal Plaza to serve as a permanent
home for the art collection and the site for the Oklahoma State University Museum
of Art. In December, OSU Regents approved the renovation of the Postal Plaza building.
2011
Renovations began in February. Architectural firm Elliott + Associates were selected as architects for the project and Manhattan Construction Co were selected
as construction managers. In October, demolition began.
2012
In October, the design phase ended, construction phase began.
2013
In January, Victoria Berry (center) was hired as OSU Museum of Art Director and Chief Curator.
The project was completed in August. Many of the building’s original design features
were left exposed to represent the symbolism that much like a student’s growth, our
work at the museum would never be finished. In September, the Art collection moved
into the building and in October the OSU Museum of Art began a soft opening phase and
started opening its doors to the public.
2014
OSU Museum of Art fully opened, introducing its first official exhibition in January
2014: Sharing a Journey: Building the Oklahoma State University Museum of Art Collection and featured highlights from the permanent collection.
2019
In January, the OSU Museum of Art celebrated 5 years. In February, the museum received a major gift from the George R. Kravis II Collection adding over
600 works to the permanent collection and naming the George R. Kravis II Gallery.
The permanent collection has now grown to over 5,000 objects.
2021
In July, the OSU Museum of Art achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of
Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition afforded the nation's museums. This
means the museum meets National Standards and Best Practices for U.S. Museums and
joins a community of institutions that have chosen to hold themselves publicly accountable
to excellence.