Tulsa Artist Fellowship featured in Art Basel's 'Meet the Institutions' Series
“There is a relentless push in Tulsa for change, for reflection, for progress”
Tulsa, Oklahoma is a historic city of countless identities – and shining brightly among them is a growing population of artists, writers, musicians, and creatives. At the forefront of this community is Tulsa Artist Fellowship, which has created spaces across the city for art, music, and literature to flourish. These include their Flagship exhibition space and the Archer, Cameron, and Detroit Studios. In this episode of ‘Meet the institutions’, we visit the city of Tulsa to see their spaces, take in the landmark buildings, Art Deco architecture, public art – and catch-up with Executive Director Carolyn Sickles, about the fellowship’s unique approach to supporting artists for the long term. We also visit the studios of three fellows – video and visual artist Kalup Linzy as well as mother and son, clay sculptor and fabric artist Anita Fields and painter Yatika Starr Fields. ‘I was able to sit down, think about my life, but also to think about my work and really start to take care of myself,’ says Linzy, reflecting on what the fellowship has brought to his practice.
Tulsa Artist Fellowship, a cultural initiative of the George Kaiser Family Foundation, is a place-based award. The fellows receive remarkable support – including stipends for living, housing, health, childcare, studio assistants, relocation, and fully-subsidized studios in the center of the city’s Arts District.
Film, Shot, Edit: Shaandiin Tome
Sound, Music: Forrest Goodluck
Additional First Friday Footage: Brittany Bendabout
Drone Footage: Buddy FX, Courtesy of Tulsa Remote
Art Basel
Executive Editor: Coline Milliard
Senior Editor: Alicia Reuter
Video Commissioner: Jeanne-Salomé Rochat
Creative Producer: Akiel Gallina
Image Credit: Artist Kalup Linzy's studio during Tulsa Artist Fellowship November 2022 First Friday.