Bartlesville Arts Association Relocates Due To New Ownership Of Price Tower

The Bartlesville Art Association is looking for a new place to call home after a new owner takes over Price Tower.

The Bartlesville Art Association says it is hopeful it will get into a new location soon. Just overnight it has received a lot of messages and donations from the community. For the last six years, the Bartlesville Art Association has called a building next to the Price Tower home.

The Art Association says it has never had to pay rent, but Board President Kathleen Rutledge says that will soon change.

"Price Tower was recently sold to private parties and they need to generate income,” Rutledge said.

Price Tower Executive Director Donna Keffer says it was at risk of defaulting on debt. With new ownership, it's faced with negotiating finances.

"We worked with each of our tenants to come up with a mutually beneficial lease for everyone and with the art association particularly,” Keffer said.

Keffer says they offered the Art Association to stay in the 4,000-square-foot annex building for $5,800 a month and would donate $2,800 back to the association. The Art Association says it can't pay $3,000 a month.

"We do everything we can to bring people to art. and so, therefore, we're not really a group that knows how to generate funds. That's not a mission for us,” Rutledge said.

The BAA released a statement letting the community know it would be relocating and is searching for a new home.

Rutledge says she didn't expect the response she received. Messages and donations poured in overnight.

"The biggest and most pleasant surprise has been the Tulsa Community Foundation. Just out of the blue sent us a $15,000 grant for relocation purposes,” Rutledge said.

Student summer classes will continue to be offered through June. The BAA says it plans to be up and running in a new location by the end of August.