History

Oklahoma Today magazine was established as the state’s official magazine by the Oklahoma State Legislature and published its first issue in January 1956. The magazine was created to showcase the best of what Oklahoma has to offer—its rich history as well as its wealth of travel destinations, great restaurants, interesting people, exciting experiences, and, of course, its diverse natural beauty. Oklahoma Today is published six times a year—in January, March, May, July, September, and November—by the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.

Today, Oklahoma Today is known across North America as one of the best regional magazines in publication, having been named Magazine of the Year eight times by the International Regional Magazine Association—first in 1991 and most recently in 2019. In 2020, Oklahoma Today also was named Magazine of the Year by the Tulsa Press Club at its annual Great Plains Journalism Awards, a contest covering eight states and a vast swath of the middle of the country. In 2015, Oklahoma Today art director Steven Walker was named Art Director of the Year nationwide by FOLIO:, a magazine industry publication, besting art directors from* Time Out New York* and Oprah magazines, among others. Oklahoma Today also has been honored nationally by the Religion Communicators Council with two Wilbur Awards and with two Wrangler awards at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum’s Western Heritage Awards ceremony. Then-President George W. Bush penned a note to the magazine’s staff on its fiftieth anniversary in 2006.

Oklahoma Today has featured the literary, photographic, artistic, and design talents of public figures like President Bill Clinton, U.S. Circuit Judge Robert Henry, and Will Rogers Jr.; bestselling authors like Sam Anderson, Burkhard Bilger, Quraysh Ali Lansana, U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, and many state poets laureate; hip-hop artist Jabee; photographers like David Fitzgerald, Shane Bevel, Ryan Red Corn, and Gaylord Oscar Herron; and artists like Dana Tiger, Natasha Alterici, Arigon Starr, Roy Boney Jr., Mike Larsen, and more. That is in addition to the respected journalists and photographers who contribute as part of the magazine’s staff or its stable of freelance contributors.

Oklahoma Today is the magazine for anyone, anywhere, who loves Oklahoma and wants to get to know it better. SubscribeClick here to subscribe now.