The Oklahoma Municipal League recently highlighted its partnership with the Gibbs College of Architecture’s Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) and Interior Design program in its Municipal Messenger newsletter.
The Institute for Quality Communities helps Oklahoma communities imagine new environments
The first article, “The Institute for Quality Communities helps Oklahoma communities imagine new environments,” highlights the philosophy, structure and impact of the IQC throughout Oklahoma. Each year, the Oklahoma Municipal League allocates up to $10,000 to communities whose projects are selected by the IQC as part of their conceptual design and planning assistance program. More information about the 2020 grant cycle is shared in the article.
IQC and Interior Design Partnership with the Woodward Arts Theatre
The second article, ” The Woodward Arts Theatre: A vital part of history remains an important piece of Woodward’s arts and cultural future,” looks at the IQC’s partnership with the Oklahoma Municipal League and OU Interior Design to develop a project with the Woodward Arts Theatre, which originally opened in 1929.
The project includes making recommendations for interior finishes, including materials, furniture, lighting, and minimal accessibility issues for the theater. Due to the emphasis on architectural interiors, IQC leadership engaged faculty and students from OU’s Interior Design program to support the project.
The Gibbs Design in Action Awards (GDAA) program, led by Dr. Wanda Liebermann, has announced its 2026–2027 funded student projects. The initiative supports design and research work that addresses social, cultural, and economic issues in the built environment through collaboration with faculty and community partners.
The OU Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) 2024 collaboration with the Historic Threatt Filling Station has been recognized in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's newly released Byways Report: The Scenic Route to Rural Prosperity – a story-driven publication exploring how road trip culture and place-based tourism can fuel economic growth in rural communities.
The Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Camille Germany, Chief of Staff, has been named the 2026 recipient of the university-wide Jennifer L. Wise Good Stewardship Award.
