The 20th Anniversary of the Walton Arts Center: Education Takes Center Stage
It all revolves around a simple black Masonite surface. Worn with production tape signaling an actor’s position and shoe scuffs etched onto the floor, the theatrical platform embraces the 1,200-seat proscenium theater.
(inset) Billie Jo Starr and Helen Walton, co-founders of Walton Arts Center, celebrate WAC’s grand opening; Billie Jo Starr celebrates WAC’s 20th anniversary.
Photography by Beth HaLL & Courtesy of Walton Arts Center
To most in the community, it’s not merely a stage, but where dreams are fulfilled: a third-grader singing for the first time, in front of an audience, at her school talent show; a symphony that’s been searching for a home; an audience member captivated by the Broadway show she never thought she’d see … and it was one dream 20 years ago that made it all possible.
“When you look at 20 years of the Walton Arts Center’s impact, Billie Jo Starr and Helen Walton were so visionary,” said Peter Lane, CEO and president, Walton Arts Center. “They had this vision that putting an arts center in this area could really make a difference. I’ve rarely worked with an organization that has the ability to make the impact that the Walton Arts Center does.”
Intended as a multi-use community arts facility by the City of Fayetteville, the University of Arkansas and the Walton family in 1986, the Walton Arts Center (WAC) has distinctly grown into an educational arts facility — an ambition at the core of the non-profit organization.
“Imagine a community where all children, regardless of income, have the arts in their lives,” this is the Center’s vision, and it’s already come to fruition.
“In northwest Arkansas when we talk about affecting lives of more than 33,000 kids annually, that’s 60 percent of the children in northwest Arkansas. That’s incredible,” Lane said. “By 2015, our institution has a goal of reaching 100 percent [of the children in this area]. I’ve never been associated with an institution that has that ability to impact schools and children’s lives.”
The Colgate Classroom series offers schools access to live matinee performances in a variety of arts, including dance, theater, opera and world music; each performance is an opportunity to uniquely enrich education.
The Walton Arts Center strives for more than an entertaining performance and seeks to strengthen school communities by bringing the arts into the classrooms as well. With the Smart Residency programs, teachers have access to model arts integration strategies, teacher instruction guides and professional development workshops.
“Arts experiences enhance traditional education by broadening the students’ perspective,” said Denise Garner, who along with husband Hershey, is a 20-year financial supporter of the Walton Arts Center. “Research shows that arts education is closely related to academic achievement, social and emotional development, as well as civic engagement. Many of our students might never attend a theater performance if not for their Walton Arts Center opportunity.”
While students have had the opportunity to experience world cultures through Walton Arts Center performances they’re now learning about their own backyard. “Digging Up Arkansas,” written by Arkansas History Teacher of the Year Mike Thomas, is an educational play with music, drama and student participation. The play tells the story of Arkansas history from the year 1000 to 1936. The performances take place in the schools and have impacted the entire state.
“The education part is essential. Our CEO at the time [20 years ago], Bill Mitchell said, ‘If you don’t have the children in and don’t educate them to appreciate the arts and participate and make it part of their lives, then you don’t have future audiences.’ That’s so true,” said Starr, original regional fund-raising chair. “Those who came when they were 5 years old are bringing their kids now, and the Center is a part of their lives.”
Garner has personally seen how her children have been affected by growing up around the arts. Just 4 and 6 years old when WAC opened, they sang and danced on stage at the opening ceremony with Helen Walton and Billie Jo Starr and continue to appreciate the arts 20 years later — a personal reason Garner believes it’s important to lend support, especially financial support, to the organization.
“I’ve had the great fortune of growing up in a community that’s so supportive of the arts,” said Wesley, Garner’s son. “The Walton Arts Center first touched my life almost 20 years ago and has enriched it ever since. Should the day ever come that I have children, the arts will be an essential part of their upbringing and education. I hope the Walton Arts Center is part of their experience.”
It’s these private supporters who built WAC from the ground up, providing nearly $7 million to the organization for its debt-free opening in April 1992.
The original private supporters, the Walton family, first donated in the late ‘80s to a University of Arkansas at Fayetteville (UAF) fund for a performance facility. The auditorium would accommodate touring shows, university performances and the annual Walmart shareholders meeting. At the same time the City of Fayetteville was discussing the idea of a multi-use community arts facility. There was an obvious need with the Northwest Arkansas Symphony and community theater groups searching for a home. As both entities explored their options, it became apparent, there was potential to work together. Leaders from both sides, including UAF chancellors Willard Gatewood, followed by Dan Ferritor, as well as Fayetteville City Board member Frank Sharp and other community leaders formed a joint City/University exploratory committee.
“I was originally asked to serve on a committee for the city that was working on the use of a hotel/motel tax to further along some kind of art center,” Starr said. “When the whole thing came together I was asked to serve as a member of the board of the Walton Arts Center, so I’ve been there since before day one. I grew up here and always wished there was a place we could see Broadway productions and the symphony.”
Starr’s vision wasn’t far off, but the three entities had several compromises to make before opening the theater, such as the decision to work together, the location of the venue and the size of the auditorium. As the University and the City of Fayetteville formed an Interlocal Agreement, the site of Dickson Street and a 1,200-seat auditorium was agreed upon.
The first Walton Arts Center Council was formed in 1986 and was comprised of three university appointees and three city officials, including Sonja Decker, Andy Gibbs, James Gilbreath, Bernard Madison, Lloyd Seaton and Frank Sharp. Though they each brought a sum of money to the table, totaling about $9 million, it was evident the funds weren’t enough. With the hiring of the new executive director Bill Mitchell and fundraising chair Starr, they were adamant about raising the appropriate funds for the multi-purpose facility.
“In addition to the Walton money and the city money we were still about $4 to $5 million short when the bids came in,” Starr said. “We began hosting in-home community parties. The host would invite their friends, and we would come and bring the model and share the vision. We were not directly asking for money; we were sharing information. Later we made the follow-up calls.”
Successful in their fundraising ventures, The Walton Arts Center opened its doors in April 1992, and has grown into a premiere Arkansas destination for performing arts, entertainment and arts education.
"I’m proud to be part of it, because it’s making a difference,” Starr said. “Bottom line, it’s making a difference in peoples’ lives. I worked with Helen Walton, and many times we went to their house. Sam was very supportive of all of this, and that really helped us remain encouraged.”
Making a difference through community education and artistic excellence are the pillars WAC continues to strive towards after 20 years, Lane said.
“The changes I’ve seen since I’ve been here have been about continuing the legacy of artistic excellence and expanding it and making it much more available for our region and our state,” he said.
Though WAC will always be at the heart of Fayetteville, the expansion will bring more variety and opportunity to those outside of Washington County and lay the groundwork for future growth. The plan includes pursuing a 600-seat performance hall to be built in Fayetteville, on or around the current Walton Arts Center campus, and a 2,200-seat theater to be built in or near downtown Bentonville.
WAC also recently acquired the Arkansas Music Pavilion (AMP) at the Northwest Arkansas Mall. Currently, AMP has 3,500 seats; WAC will expand the pavilion into a 6,000 plus seat facility by building a permanent outdoor venue on the southwest corner of the mall property. Key renovations include: moving the venue off of the parking lot blacktop; installing sloped seating and handicap access; providing permanent backstage amenities for the artists; and installing a permanent stage-house with full production capabilities. The project is set to be complete in time for the 2012 summer season.
“This will be largest facility by threefold of what WAC owns, manages and operates,” Lane said. “We want to really establish our entertainment impact as well as our cultural arts impact on the region.”
In 20 years, the Center has not only expanded physically, but with their performance diversity as well, hosting performances such as Broadway shows, a 10X10 arts series with $10 tickets, and celebrating the arts and nature in non-traditional venues.
“Often people use money as a barrier or excuse to experience something new,” Lane said. “When that barrier is taken away, it’s a low risk opportunity. Even if it’s just once in their lives, it can make a difference. The power of arts is amazing.”
“The performances have gotten better, the quality is better. A lot more people are going to the Walton Arts Center. People who haven’t seen performances enjoy it, and more people are noticing the arts,” said Becky Alexander, who with husband Bob is a 20-year financial supporter. “We hope their expansion brings more people in to the theater and more education for the children.”
“We always hope that it will continue to get bigger and better, but never to the extent of ruling out quality rather than quantity,” Starr said. “This area is really booming, so obviously in 10 years we’ll need more seating, but quality needs to remain the same. We will always be adamant about that.”
Walton Arts Center’s Major Contributors:
Baum Charitable Foundation
Boyce Billingsley
Bob & Marilyn Bogle
Colgate-Palmolive
Tom & Cynthia Coughlin
Greenwood-Gearhart
J.B. Hunt Transport & Mrs. Johnelle Hunt
Procter & Gamble
Lee & Linda Scott
Billie & Joe Fred Starr
Tyson
Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation
Walmart/Sam’s Club
Walton Family Foundation
