Beaux Arts Ball

The Beaux Arts Society was born from the need to sustain the Oklahoma Art Center, known today as the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Although prominent families and art enthusiasts made possible the purchase of art and provided funds to attract traveling artists, there was no means to maintain the facility itself. That all changed in 1945 when Eleanor Kirkpatrick suggested an annual costume ball to raise much-needed funds and create broad publicity for the Oklahoma Art Center. Aware of the brilliantly staged Beaux Arts Balls that began in France in the 17th Century and were presided over by Kings and Queens, Kirkpatrick said, “Beaux Arts Balls are about tradition and families and supporting the quality of life in our community.” Held at Oklahoma City’s Municipal Auditorium, Kirkpatrick served as chairman of the first Beaux Arts Ball in 1946. Tickets were $3.75 each and for .50 cents a spectator could watch the ball from the balcony. An international theme was adopted and Mrs. John A Brow