Arts and Culture
Claremore is a city committed to keeping its culture and arts growing. The community offers many cultural choices -- everything from art exhibits to traditional Cherokee games, from civic bands to blue grass festivals, from theater productions to historical museums.

Residents of Claremore value their heritage and pass these values on through projects, storytelling tours, educational publications and events. Local historical sites include several listed on the National Register of Historical Places such as the Belvidere Mansion, Totem Pole Park, Hotel Will Rogers, and the Keller Bath House.

Hotel Will Rogers
Will Rogers, newspaper columnist, author and public speaker, known in the 1920’s as the “Indian Cowboy from Oklahoma”, was born near Claremore and his legacy of wit and wisdom is still celebrated throughout the City.  Three businessmen built the six story Hotel Will Rogers in 1930 in Claremore.  Today the hotel has been restored by the Rogers County Historical Society and is now a landmark project with the upper floors dedicated to senior housing, while the lobby is open to visitors and accommodates several commercial offices.  Website

Will Rogers Memorial Museum
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore has nine galleries, three theaters, interactive television and a special children's museum to enjoy the life and times of Will Rogers.  Over a hundred thousand tourists and students visit the memorial every year.  Website

Wild West Expo
The Will Rogers Wild West International Expo celebrates the skills of the Old West every April.  For sixteen years it was held in Las Vegas, but for the last four years it has been held at the Expo center in Claremore due to a partnership of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, the City of Claremore and the Wild West Arts Club.

The Wild West Arts Club, based in Las Vegas, is dedicated to preserving and promoting western arena arts and has a membership of more than 600 from 10 countries.  Trick roping, trick riding, whip cracking, gun spinning, fast draw, knife and tomahawk throwing and many other heritage arts of the historic American West are being kept alive and given vitality by the club.

Lynn Riggs Memorial Museum
Rollie Lynn Riggs was born in 1899, three miles southwest of Claremore in Indian Territory.  He became an internationally famous author and was the playwright of "Green Grow the Lilacs", from which the musical "Oklahoma!" was adapted by Rodgers & Hammerstein.  The play, set in 1900 in Claremore, is a vibrantly descriptive and colorful tale of life in Indian Territory.  Lynn Riggs died in 1954 and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.  The Lynn Riggs Memorial houses the original surrey with the fringe on top from the movie, "Oklahoma!" Website

Blue Grass & Chili Festival Every September residents and visitors enjoy a 2-day annual folk music festival.  The event features blue grass musicians from all over the nation and includes a competitive chili cook-off with winners going on to compete nationally.  Arts, crafts and regional foods are displayed and sold during the event.  Website
	Robson Performing Arts Center Claremore’s commitment to children having quality cultural experiences led to the development of an $16 million Robson Performing Arts Center.  The mission of the Robson Performing Arts Center is to promote arts education for the students of the Claremore School District by providing a safe, technically proficient performing arts venue.  The Center also serves as a resource for the community at large and contributes to the cultural vitality of the city of Claremore and its surrounding areas.
The approximately 70,000 square-foot facility has a seating capacity of 1,024.  The Performing Arts Center include separate rehearsal and storage areas.  The stage is 114 feet by 45 feet.  The facility also includes a 50 feet by 50 feet black box theater, which can be used for smaller productions.  Students may practice in a band room, a choir room and a speech, drama and debate area.  Small and large ensemble rooms, a percussion area and practice rooms are soundproof.  Website
Green Country Arts & Humanities Association In 2005, community members organized an area arts and humanities association and the Green Country Arts & Humanities Association now works to promote arts and arts and cultural education throughout Rogers County.  Contact: Seana Murray  smurray@bankrcb.net
	Totem Pole Park Folk  art is also valued by the community.  In partnership with the Kansas grassroots Arts Association, the Rogers County Historical Society helped restore the large totem pole created by folk artist (Nathan) Ed Galloway.  Just off historic route 66, north of Claremore, the nine acre park includes Galloway's 90’ totem pole sculpture, his eleven-sided "Fiddle House", and a museum where artifacts made by Ed Galloway and visuals of the park development are on display.   Website