The Walton Arts Center: Location, location, location

The Walton Arts Center is already amazing, and over the next few decades they are going to become world-class. The WAC isn’t quite there yet, but the leaders at the WAC are visionary and capable. I think they know exactly how to pull it off.

They’re just not sure where they’ll do it yet.

What’s happening to the Center is pretty simple. People here are demanding more art. Sure, we want Broadway and opera and symphonies, but we also want comedy and local productions. It’s not just Fayetteville, the whole region patronizes and appreciates the Walton Arts Center, and most of us would like to see more programming.

Through expert advice, the Center has determined that it needs three new theatres, and not just any kind of theatres. The Center commissioned a study to determine what a successful expansion would look like, and they recommended these theatres. (Click the links to see examples of these theatres.)

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  A large stage would let the Center bring in larger shows.
  A large theatre - 2,200 seats with side tiers and a balcony: This theatre would have more dressing rooms and storage space than Baum Walker Hall. It’s size would attract new artists and organizations to Northwest Arkansas, and we might even get some some shows to set up residence.
• A theatre club - 600 seats with a flexible configuration: This theatre can be used for performances, meetings, banquets, cabaret, and other events. Imagine going to see a stand-up artist over drinks with friends, or hosting your next fundraiser over dinner with a professional stage to take the floor with.
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  A small black-box theatre is reconfigurable for a variety of shows.
  A black box theatre - 75-100 seats: This room would be close to infiinitely configurable. Seating is mobile and there is not permanent stage. This could host recitals, childrens’ performances, or plays in the center of the seating.
• An image of the layout of the theatres is attached to this post.

I knew the Arts Center wanted to do some cool stuff, but it wasn’t until I read this study that I realized what the new theatre spaces would mean for Northwest Arkansas. It doesn’t just mean bigger names and a greater variety of shows, it means something much more than that. It means a CENTER for the arts. It means festivals and it means a boost to the economy and it means opportunities for students and citizens.

It’s going to be influential in a very big way, so it’s appropriate that the leaders of the WAC are being so diligent in their search for the perfect location.
Read the rest of this post, including my recommendation and a comparison of the potential locations, at the Fayetteville Flyer.