Even before the ribbon was cut Friday morning at Philbrook’s Tandy Pavilion, people of all ages were having fun in the new space by enjoying breakfast from Wildflower Cafe or spinning in circles on the colorful interactive exhibit Los Trompos.
The addition of the 6,000-square-foot pavilion with a 2,000-square-foot covered patio creates additional amenities in what was an underutilized area in the southeast corner of the museum’s grounds.
It creates a new venue for rentals, which Philbrook President/CEO Megan Whittaker Nesbit says will be an important revenue driver for the museum. It’s also about “our mission of bringing people together and connecting people with each other, with nature and of course with art,” she said.
The A. R. & Marylouise Tandy Foundation provided $10 million and Philbrook raised $2 million more for the project to create a hub for art education, nature programs, special events and general recreation. Tulsa’s Narrate Design and Manhattan Construction oversaw design and construction.
The opening day celebration included a morning dance party with live music from Hot Toast Music Co. Attendees of all ages took turns on the Los Trompos exhibit that is open through the July 4 weekend, played with giant spirographs in the event space, relaxed in the shade and enjoyed taking in the new flower garden.
The addition of Tandy Pavilion comes the same week the nonprofit has rebranded from Philbrook Museum of Art to Philbrook Art and Gardens.
“What we’re trying to do is just elevate the gardens to the same level that we have our art,” Nesbit said. “We’ve always been known as an art museum, and we want to continue to be known as an art museum. We just want people to know that we’re on 26 acres of amazing gardens, and this gives them a reason to come and spend some time in the sun and feel better.”
There’s been a lot more investment in the garden and the property’s overall tree canopy, she said, with 100 trees planted over the last year.
Philbrook is also preparing for its centennial in 2027. Nesbit says the team is working on ways to celebrate the milestone, including a fundraising campaign to ensure the villa can celebrate another century and beyond.
Philbrook guests take in the new flower beds during the Tandy Pavilion grand opening on May 8, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Philbrook Art and Gardens’ Tandy Pavilion is now open. It adds event space and more activities to the 99-year-old museum. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Philbrook guests play around in the temporary interactive exhibit Los Trompos that is located near the Tandy Pavilion. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer
“We’re planning for how we want to mark this occasion and part of that is thinking about what the next 100 years look like at Philbrook,” Nesbit said. “We’re going to have some fun celebratory moments, including maybe the first sleepover in the museum.”
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