Walton Arts Center
| Walton Arts Center | |
|---|---|
 Main Entrance to the Walton Arts Center | |
| General information | |
| Type | Arts complex |
| Location | 495 W Dickson Street, Fayetteville Arkansas |
| Coordinates | 36°03′57″N 94°09′53″W / 36.065921°N 94.164843°WCoordinates: 36°03′57″N 94°09′53″W / 36.065921°N 94.164843°W |
| Construction started | May 19, 1990 |
| Completed | April 26, 1992 |
The Walton Arts Center is a performing arts center. It is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas near the campus of the University of Arkansas, and serves as a cultural center for the Northwest Arkansas area. The building was opened in 1992 in large part because of funds donated by the Walton family (of Wal-Mart). The center is host to many musicals, plays, and other artistic and educational events throughout the year.
History
The idea for the Walton Arts Center started in the 1980s with a donation from Sam Walton to the University of Arkansas for the creation of a performance space. After talks with the city of Fayetteville who were also looking for a multi-purpose space for conferences and special events, the corner of Dickson Street and North School Avenue was chosen for being approximately halfway between downtown Fayetteville and the University. Finally in 1986 the Walton Arts Center Council was formed with the task of the construction of the facility.
Timeline
- 1992 Walton Arts Center becomes a founding member of the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts "Arts in Education" program.
- 1996- launched 5-year association with JASON project.
- 1997- mounts the national tour of Broadway musical "A Chorus Line."
- 1998- Anita Scism appointed second President/CEO.
- 1999- Nadine Baum Studios opens.
- 2001- Tony Bennett performs.
- 2002- Bill Cosby performs.
- 2005- Center completes a $1.2 million renovation project in its public spaces.
- 2005- Walton Arts Center visual art exhibition features edition ceramics by Picasso.
- 2007- 15th season.
- 2008- Broadway programs break all past sales records at Walton Arts Center.
- 2009- Peter B. Lane is appointed Center's third President/CEO.[1]
- 2010- Walton Arts Center launches Artosphere: Arkansas' Arts and Nature Festival.
- 2010- Digging Up Arkansas premieres.
- 2011- Debut of the 10x10 Series.
- 2012- Center Council approves construction of a parking deck on the center's theater lot.
- 2013- votes to relocate Arkansas Music Pavilion to the City of Rogers, AR[2]
- 2013- Fayetteville Advertising & Promotion Commission awards $600,000 toward design fees to expand Walton Arts Center.
- 2013- In November, voters approve $6.5M bond fund with a show of 85% of voters saying yes.
- 2014- Completes construction of Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion.[3]
- 2014- City of Fayetteville holds groundbreaking ceremony of demolition of JOC for new parking deck.[4]
Resident Companies and Partner Organizations
The Walton Arts Center, in addition to presenting seasons of performance and visual arts exhibitions, also hosts several resident organizations who also produce and present arts and education programs.
TheatreSquared was produced in Fayetteville, AR and is nationally acclaimed, with their productions reaching 22,000 patrons each year. TheatreSquared is Northwest Arkansas's only year-round professional theatre and performs in the 175-seat theater at Walton Arts Center's Nadine Baum Studios. In 2011, TheatreSquared was recognized by the American Theatre Wing [5] founder of the Tony Awards.
SoNA the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas was founded in 2011,[6] previously named North Arkansas Symphony in 1954. The not-for-profit organization has provided 60 years of musical performances and educational opportunities, under the musical direction of Paul Haas.
Community Creative Center formally known as Northwest Arkansas Community Creative Center, is a visual arts organization located in Walton Arts Center's Nadine Baum Studios. Community Creative Center offers visual arts classes to children and adults along with specialized workshops.
Trike Theatre is Northwest Arkansas professional theatre for youth, formed in September 2008. It was founded by artistic director Kassie Misiewicz and provides classes at the Bentonville, AR studio, with additional workshops at Walton Arts Center.
Art Facilities
Baum Walker Hall is the main facility of Walton Arts Center. It is a proscenium stage seating 1155-1201. This venue is used for recitals, lectures, musical performances, ceremonies, and concerts.
Starr Theater is a black box theater that seats up to 250 people. Its space is 2,750 square feet and used for small shows and events.
Studio Theater is located at the Nadine Baum Studios on West Street across from Walton Arts Center. The capacity is 300 people and the space is 3,996 square feet.
McBride Studio has a capacity of 100 people and the venue is used for business meetings, pre and post-performance receptions, and classes.
Cynthia H. Coughlin Gallery/Main Lobby is used for receptions and dinners when there is not a performance and it serves as the gathering space before a performance. The area can hold up to 400 people at a time.
Bradberry Amphitheater/Rosen Memorial Rose Garden is located on Dickson Street, outside of Walton Arts Center. It is used for weddings, receptions and dinners and has a capacity of 200 people.
Joy Pratt Markham Gallery is a visual arts space located inside of Walton Arts Center, it has housed exhibitions such as Translating Earth, Transforming Sea by Shawn Bitters, Joan Hall & Laura Moriarty. [7]
References
- ↑ http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2009/04/22/walton-arts-center-gets-new-leadership-initiatives/
- ↑ http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2013/05/28/wac-board-votes-to-move-arkansas-music-pavilion-to-rogers/
- ↑ http://www.constructionspecifier.com/new-arkansas-music-pavilion-opens-on-a-good-note/
- ↑ http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2014/10/21/fayetteville-breaks-ground-on-downtown-parking-deck/
- ↑ http://americantheatrewing.org/recipients/theatresquared/
- ↑ http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2011/03/11/the-symphony-returns-to-northwest-arkansas-on-march-17/
- ↑ http://www.currentland.com/ViewArticle/2488/Default.aspx
