Walton Arts Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Walton Arts Center |
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Main Entrance to the Walton Arts Center
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| General information | |
| Type | Performing Arts Center |
| Location | 495 W Dickson Street, Fayetteville Arkansas |
| Coordinates | 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 cool place where people enjoy live shows and art! It's in Fayetteville, Arkansas, close to the University of Arkansas. This center is a big cultural spot for the whole Northwest Arkansas area. It opened in 1992, thanks to money given by the Walton family, who started Walmart. Many fun musicals, plays, and other artistic and learning events happen here all year long.
History of the Arts Center
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The idea for the Walton Arts Center began in the 1980s. Sam Walton gave money to the University of Arkansas to create a place for performances. The city of Fayetteville was also looking for a space for events. They decided on a spot between downtown Fayetteville and the University. In 1986, the Walton Arts Center Council was formed to build the center.
A big change happened in 2016 when the Walton Arts Center finished a $23 million renovation and expansion. This made the center even better and bigger for everyone to enjoy!
Amazing Resident Companies
The Walton Arts Center isn't just a place for shows; it also hosts several groups that create and present their own art and education programs.
TheatreSquared
TheatreSquared is a professional theater company from Fayetteville, Arkansas. They are well-known across the country and their shows reach thousands of people every year. It's the only year-round professional theater in Northwest Arkansas. They perform in a 175-seat theater at the Walton Arts Center's Nadine Baum Studios. In 2011, they were recognized by the American Theatre Wing, which created the Tony Awards!
Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA)
SoNA, which stands for the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, was started in 2011. Before that, it was called the North Arkansas Symphony, founded way back in 1954. This group has given 60 years of amazing music performances and learning chances to the community.
Community Creative Center
The Community Creative Center focuses on visual arts. It's located in the Walton Arts Center's Nadine Baum Studios. This center offers art classes for kids and adults, plus special workshops where you can learn different art skills.
Trike Theatre
Trike Theatre is a professional theater group just for young people in Northwest Arkansas. It started in 2008 and was founded by Kassie Misiewicz. They offer classes at their studio in Bentonville and also hold workshops at the Walton Arts Center.
Cool Art Facilities
The Walton Arts Center has many different spaces, each designed for a special kind of event or performance.
Baum Walker Hall
Baum Walker Hall is the main stage at the Walton Arts Center. It's a large theater that can seat between 1155 and 1201 people. This space is used for big concerts, lectures, musical performances, and ceremonies.
Starr Theater
The Starr Theater is a "black box" theater. This means it's a flexible space that can be set up in many different ways. It can hold up to 250 people and is used for smaller shows and events.
Studio Theater
The Studio Theater is located at the Nadine Baum Studios, right across the street from the main Walton Arts Center building. It can hold 300 people and is a large space for various performances.
McBride Studio
The McBride Studio is a smaller venue that can hold 100 people. It's often used for business meetings, parties before or after a show, and classes.
Cynthia H. Coughlin Gallery/Main Lobby
This area is the main gathering space before a performance. It's also used for parties and dinners when there isn't a show. Up to 400 people can fit here at one time.
Bradberry Amphitheater/Rosen Memorial Rose Garden
This outdoor space is located right on Dickson Street, outside the Walton Arts Center. It's a beautiful spot used for weddings, parties, and dinners, and can hold up to 200 people.
Joy Pratt Markham Gallery
The Joy Pratt Markham Gallery is a special art space inside the Walton Arts Center. It shows off different visual art exhibitions by various artists.
