Gilcrease Museum relies on its vital partnership with the corporate community to provide a foundation for operating support for exhibitions and educational programs at the museum and in communities throughout Oklahoma. Recently, in support of Tulsa students, corporate partner Bank of America made a gift of $19,000 to assist with transportation needs to encourage area schools to visit the museum.

“School groups that want to visit Gilcrease often lack the funds to cover the cost of bus transportation,” explained Alison Rossi, director of learning and community engagement at Gilcrease Museum. “With their gift of $19,000 to Gilcrease, Bank of America generously provides funding for bus transportation and makes the museum accessible for critical supplemental learning.”

Annually, nearly 10,000 students come to Gilcrease to learn about art and culture outside the classroom walls. The museum looks forward to welcoming students again once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

“Bank of America recognizes that the arts not only help economies thrive and enrich our communities, but that they also foster endless learning, great thinking and connect us through shared culture and heritage,” said Mary Burchett, Tulsa market manager, Bank of America. “That is why we’re proud of our longstanding support of Gilcrease and its value to our community. We’re pleased to provide area schools with the needed transportation to ensure that our young people have access to the arts and all that Gilcrease has to offer.”

This recent gift is just one example of Bank of America’s unwavering commitment to expand access to the arts. Gilcrease Museum also proudly participates in Bank of America’s Museums on Us program. During the first full weekend of every month, Bank of America cardholders receive free admission to Gilcrease in addition to other participating museums. The offer will resume after COVID-19 social distancing protocols are removed and Gilcrease reopens to the public.

“Through the national Museums on Us program, Bank of America customers receive multiple opportunities to visit museums at no charge,” explained Frank Mulhern, Gilcrease Museum’s senior director of development. “What a partner like Bank of America really does through their support is create opportunities for individuals to engage in arts and culture by removing obstacles that may exist and thereby contribute to the vitality of the community.”

The continued support of Bank of America and the larger Tulsa business community is essential to maintaining a vibrant city that appeals to people from many backgrounds and makes the community a more dynamic and enjoyable place.