The FAMily Discovery Center opened on October 26, 2023, in Oklahoma City, finalizing a significant $600 million investment in the Horizons District. This new addition to the First Americans Museum is designed to enhance the area’s status as a premier cultural and entertainment destination, highlighting Indigenous culture and history.
The two-story, 5,000-square-foot center represents the culmination of the museum’s original vision, positioning Oklahoma City as a vital location for Native American heritage. Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, a member of the Osage Nation, remarked on the transformative journey, stating, “This journey over the last five years has really created one of the most special and unique places in the United States of America.” He emphasized that there is only one institution in the U.S. comparable to the center’s offerings, which is located in Washington, D.C.
Visitors to the FAMily Discovery Center can expect an immersive experience, described as a “living pop-up book.” The attraction features six animal characters that guide families through a dynamic forest environment that changes through seasons and day-to-night transitions within an hour. According to William Smith, principal of Storyline Studio, which designed the exhibit, the center uses innovative technology that no other museum has implemented at this scale. He noted, “This is where design meets technology, guided by deep respect for Native cultures.”
The artwork within the center was created by UK-based illustrator Mark Oliver, who spent six years developing the visuals. Oliver expressed that working on this project profoundly influenced his artistic approach, stating, “I really wanted to capture how they find geometry in nature. That just clicked and changed my life in terms of art.”
The opening of the FAMily Discovery Center is part of a broader series of developments in the Horizons District. Earlier in 2023, the $400 million Okana resort opened nearby, significantly increasing visitor traffic. Additionally, a new pedestrian bridge funded through MAPS 4 has been established to facilitate access to the district.
Mayor Holt emphasized the scale of the investment, stating, “Collectively, we’re talking $600 million of investment. We have created what will be moving forward a capital for Native American people, a destination for people from all over the world.”
Kelli Mosteller, executive director of the First Americans Museum and a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, highlighted the center’s educational significance. She stated that it fills an important gap in cultural education, celebrating the 39 distinct First American Nations in Oklahoma while imparting Indigenous values such as respect, resilience, stewardship, and community. “There is nowhere else like the FAMily Discovery Center,” Mosteller noted. “It creates an important opportunity for all who visit to experience how deeply our Indigenous cultures are interwoven with the lands we call home.”
The center was co-curated by museum Deputy Director Shoshana Wasserman and Communications Project Manager Kimberly Rodriguez, who have been involved since the project’s inception in 2018. Voices of notable figures, including Joy Harjo, the first Native American U.S. Poet Laureate, and NASA astronaut John Herrington, are featured throughout the space.
The Horizons District also hosts the Sovereignty Symposium, which relocated to the area, and museum officials anticipate that the center will attract more conferences and cultural events, further establishing Oklahoma City as a leading destination for Native American culture and policy discussions. Mayor Holt remarked, “We’re already seeing people from across the country come here as one of the primary destinations for Native American culture, policy making, and thought leadership.”
Officials at the museum emphasized that the FAMily Discovery Center is more than just an entertainment venue. Traditional motifs and cultural values are woven throughout the design, ensuring that Indigenous families see their stories represented while educating non-Native visitors about the connections between diverse cultures and the natural world. “This is more than an exhibit; it’s a pop-up-book love letter,” Wasserman concluded. “We designed the space to spark curiosity and strengthen connections across generations.”
The completion of the FAMily Discovery Center solidifies the First Americans Museum’s role as a central institution in cultural tourism, poised to compete nationally while fulfilling its educational mission for Oklahoma’s tribal communities and the wider public.