The Arkansas Arts Center has announced a $128 million fundraising campaign for a new space and renovations to its existing building.
The new AAC will welcome visitors and community members, inviting them to explore AAC's programmes and collections in an exciting, energy-efficient, accessible, state-of-the-art facility.Scheduled for completion in early 2022, the 'Reimagining the Arkansas Arts Center: Campaign for Our Cultural Future' project has commitments exceeding $118 million so far.
"A remarkable group has come together with a clear understanding of the importance of reimagining the Arkansas Arts Center for the 21st century," said campaign Co-Chair Harriet Stephens. "We will now reach out to the entire community and state for support to realise this once-in-a-lifetime project.
"Together, we can ensure that the Arkansas Arts Center is a thriving and influential cultural institution for present and future generations."
The development includes a two-storey atrium extending through the existing museum complex to weave together the Galleries, Museum School, and Children’s Theatre.
Other additions include a new community event and gathering space, a new entrance hall, and a new restaurant in MacArthur Park with shaded outdoor seating, walking paths, and landscape features.
Reimagining the Arkansas Arts Center
- State-of-the-art galleries for the AAC's collection and traveling exhibitions, and cutting-edge collection storage facilities to preserve and maintain the collection.
- Renovated facilities for the Museum School with increased education, amenity, and display space.
- An updated Children’s Theatre, which includes new lighting, sound and rigging systems, control rooms, audience seats, an expansion of the black box theatre, and the addition of a costume shop.
Construction on the Arkansas Arts Center is scheduled to start in 2019, with an opening set for early 2022.
Images: Arkansas Art Center
