ABOUT THE
WOODY GUTHRIE CENTER

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The Woody Guthrie Center celebrates the life, music and artistry of the influential folk musician while seeking to ignite a passion for social change and foster a world in which the values of justice, equality and compassion prevail.

Our facility honors Woody Guthrie’s life and legacy by educating visitors, teachers, students, and scholars about his relevance today and his important role in American history — through our on-site programming, classroom materials and youth music programs, artist-in-residence programs, school outreach, internship and fellowship opportunities, and the Woody Guthrie Center Archives.

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The Woody Guthrie Center is dedicated to spreading Woody Guthrie’s message of diversity, equality, and justice. In today’s world, where it seems intolerance, bigotry, and violence are on the rise, it’s an honor to share this positive message with a new generation who can create their own own ripples of change.

Overview Image

Our facility honors Woody Guthrie’s life and legacy by educating visitors, teachers, students, and scholars about his relevance today and his important role in American history — through our on-site programming, classroom materials and youth music programs, artist-in-residence programs, school outreach, internship and fellowship opportunities, and the Woody Guthrie Center Archives & Special Collections. The Woody Guthrie Center is now open to those who have reserved their tours in advance.

FAST FACTS

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FOUNDER: George Kaiser Family Foundation

OPENING DAY: April 27, 2013

ARCHITECTS: KKT Architects

DESIGN AND DIGITAL MEDIA: Gallagher & Associates

PERMANENT EXHIBIT CURATORS: Robert Santelli/The Grammy Museum, Mike Buday/Gallagher & Associates, Nora Guthrie and Tiffany Colannino/The Woody Guthrie Archives

MURAL DESIGN: Clean Hands

BUILDING HISTORY: The building housing the Woody Guthrie Center operated as the Tulsa Paper Company from 1922-1980. Owned and run by Alphonse Jochem and Don McAdams, the Tulsa Paper Company stored and supplied large rolls of newsprint for many area newspapers.

Woody Guthrie Prize

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Joan Baez

Woody Guthrie Prize

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Every year, the center awards the Woody Guthrie Prize to those who exemplify the Woody Guthrie’s spirit and work by using their crafts to speak for the less fortunate.

Woody Guthrie Prize

Artist Advisory Board

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By sharing messages of diversity, equality and social justice, these artists continue Woody Guthrie’s work by being the machines that promote these values.

By sharing messages of diversity, equality and social justice, these artists continue Woody Guthrie’s work by being the machines that promote these values. 

ANI DIFRANCO

BILLY BRAGG

CHUCK D

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ANI DIFRANCO

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BILLY BRAGG

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CHUCK D

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JOHN MELLENCAMP

JOHN MELLENCAMP

MARTY STUART

STEVE EARLE

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MARTY STUART

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STEVE EARLE

TOM MORELLO

FRIENDS OF THE AMERICAN SONG
ARCHIVES ADVISORY BOARD

Friends of American Song Archives supports the mission and operations of American Song Archives. Dedicated to preserving the legacy of America’s most enduring and inspiring songwriters, American Song Archives houses the largest collection of Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan primary resource materials in the world. ASA operates the Woody Guthrie Center and Bob Dylan Center.

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MORE WOODY GUTHRIE ORGANIZATIONS

The official Woody Guthrie artist website, Woody Guthrie Publications Inc. features his biography, complete lyrics, licensing information, educational and public programs, traveling exhibits, and an online store.

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Held each year in his hometown of Okemah, the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival attracts fans from around the world who share in Woody Guthrie’s philosophy that every person has worth, none more or less than another.

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The mission of Folk Alliance International is to nurture, engage, and empower the International folk music community – traditional and contemporary, amateur, and professional – through education, advocacy, and performance. We thank our sponsors at Folk Alliance International for their continued support of our education initatives.