Community Calendar

The Arkansas Arts Council recently partnered with the Division of Elementary & Secondary Education to bring fine arts teachers a professional development, hands-on series in multiple arts genres, including dance and theater! 

8:00 AM - 11:30 AM: Choice of Arts Integration (Session One)
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Choice of Music/Movement (Session Two)

Learn, explore, and create art in your community with hands-on experiences led by local arts centers, the Arts Council, and Teaching Artists--come reconnect and make art together! The CommUNITY Arts professional development sessions are free and open to any fine arts teacher in Arkansas.

Imagine stepping into a classroom where students are captivated not only by words but also by works of art. A place where critical thinking, connection, and creativity thrive as students “read” art just as they read books. Visual literacy unlocks this world, transforming how we teach and learn.

Join national arts integration experts Focus 5, Inc. for a three-day national professional development conference set against the backdrop of the world-class collection at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

This immersive experience equips Literacy and Social Studies teachers with an approach to teaching that harnesses the power of visual art to:

Develop deeper understandings
Prompt curriculum-centered conversations
Inspire inquiry
Transcend language barriers
Engage multiple learning styles
Foster an inclusive environment where every student can succeed
Perfect for K–12 English Language Arts teachers, reading specialists, literacy coaches, history teachers, and art teachers, we hope you’ll join us in transforming the way educators and students connect with art and ideas!

The Delta Cultural Center will host Arkansas Arts Council's 2025 Small Works on Paper's exhibit from July 11 - August 22. Small Works on Paper is a juried, touring, visual art exhibition that showcases 2D artwork created by artists statewide and travels up to 10 venues throughout the state in a yearlong show. Admission is free and open to all.

Perfect for kids aged 5 to 7, this is a weeklong day camp led by our talented Crystal Bridges teaching artists. Campers heading into kindergarten through 2nd grade will be guided through fun and imaginative drawing techniques.

Throughout the week, your budding artist will transform their sketchbook with unique designs using pencils, ink, charcoal, and a variety of other materials. They’ll also find inspiration and learn about the incredible artworks in our museum galleries.

This is the perfect opportunity for young artists to create with confidence and explore their artistic potential. Don’t miss out on this creative adventure!

Instructor: Abby Richardson

Tickets are $200 ($160 for members). Reserve your spot online or with Guest Experience at (479) 657-2335 today.

Perfect for kids aged 4 to 5, Mini Masters is a weeklong day camp led by a teaching artist. Prekindergarten campers will have the chance to discover the art world through story time and gallery activities.

Then, back in the studio, we’ll explore the artmaking process with painting, collage, and sculpture for some colorful, creative fun!

Tickets are $200 ($160 for members). Reserve your spot online or with Guest Experience at (479) 657-2335 today.

Perfect for kids aged 8 to 10, Nature Explorers is a weeklong day camp led by 37 North Expeditions. Campers heading into 3rd through 5th grade will uncover the wonders of both the artistic and natural worlds along the Crystal Bridge’s art trails.

Guided by skilled naturalists and outdoor educators, campers will learn about the animals and plants of the Natural State, develop essential survival and outdoor skills, and participate in art-based experiments along the trails and creeks.

This goal-centered program nurtures problem-solving, collaboration, and imagination. With real tools and real challenges, kids learn through trial and error while developing essential skills. Join us for a week of discovery and adventure!

Tickets are $200 ($160 for members). Reserve your spot online or with Guest Experience at (479) 657-2335 today.

Since the late 1990s, KAWS has been creating a cast of iconic characters steeped in the American zeitgeist that populate his work. Each with their own distinct personality pulled in part from their creator, these characters have been a constant throughline in the artist’s career. The exhibition takes its title and thematic jumping-off point from the sculpture titled FAMILY (2021), which brings together four of KAWS’ characters posed in the style of a family portrait. As witnessed throughout the show, the relationships between the figures can be complex, familiar, and astonishingly heartfelt entryways into human emotions.

Are you ready for a trip to Italy, or simply interested in learning about the country’s language and customs? Join Dr. Ryan CalabrettaSajder, Associate Professor of Italian at the University of Arkansas, for a 6-week journey filled with essential phrases and travel tips. This course will cover a variety of topics, including preparing for your trip, salutations, navigating the airport, ordering food and drinks, shopping, traveling within Italy, and ensuring your safety. Get ready to embark on this exciting adventure!

The Machine Behind the Art: Inside JR’s Printing Press is one of JR’s most extensive immersive and experiential works to date. After taking portraits in one of three individual photo booths, visitors enter the interior of an oversized, whirring printing press – turning their image into a tangible work of art while offering a glimpse into the creative process of JR. After the experience, visitors leave with their own, one-of-a-kind print.

Member Perk: Momentary members receive two free prints per visit. Just reserve your timed ticket online or with the Box Office, and your discount will be applied at checkout!

Timed portrait tickets are $20 (Free for members), reserve your timeslot online or with the Box Office at (479) 657-2335.
Timed portrait tickets include one oversized photo portrait and admission for up to three people. Digital copies of your photo will be available after your visit.
If you do not plan on taking a portrait during your visit, no purchase is required to attend The Machine Behind the Art: Inside JR’s Printing Press.