Tim Hursley
During the summer months, AMFA hosts Fridays at AMFA which is a free event for locals and visitors alike to enjoy games on the lawn and ice cold drinks.

Experience the grand unveiling of the reimagined Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA) in Little Rock, which reopened in April 2023. The fine arts venue is an artistic cornerstone with a legacy spanning over a century. 

Spanning an impressive 133,000 square feet, the museum’s renovation boasts expansive education spaces, galleries, studios, event areas, and an inviting indoor/outdoor restaurant. Park Grill, the museum's culinary gem, offers private dining options overlooking MacArthur Park. The storefront offers premier artist and artisan-made products. Local and internationally exhibited art will be available for purchase. During the winter, locals can enjoy Bright Nights, a night out where guests can enjoy champagne, cocktails, and wine with snacks and explore exhibits. 

Tim Hursley
The ceiling of AMFA was heavily inspired by the underbelly of the Blue Whale.

The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts has a constantly rotating gallery of new art from Arkansas artists. Drop-in tours are available weekly, and scheduled tours can be reserved online. Local schools are welcome to tour the museum with students, and two chaperones are required per 15 students. Group and audio tours can be booked in advance online.

Jason Masters
Park Grill is a full-service restaurant found at the back of the musem and is led by executive chef Patrick Herron.

Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts offers many programs, such as Art Together: affirming art experiences for individuals with dementia and their caregivers through an ongoing partnership with Alzheimer’s Arkansas. AMFA also offers courses for students and families. Free programs like ArtStart are available to families as an early reading program that gets children started with art activities young. Get creative on the weekend with Creative Saturdays, a program available to kids, adults and families of all ages. 

Tim Hursley
The Cultural Living Room has hosted an array of events, from AMFA’s “Bright Nights” to couples’ wedding days.

With modern and refined spaces with soaring glass walls and natural light, this museum is the perfect place to bring visiting family, a relaxed midweek date night or a night out with close friends. 

Not only is AMFA free to locals and visitors, but the space can be rented for events and weddings.

Source: arkmfa.org

Jason Masters
Windgate Art School offers several different arts courses to students of all ages and skill sets.

More of the Arts

Metro Little Rock is a vibrant hub for the arts in Arkansas with many opportunities for local artists and audiences. The area’s arts scene is diverse and unique, offering world-class entertainment through live music, theater, art galleries, museums and more.

Arkansas Repertory Theatre

Founded in 1976, the Arkansas Repertory Theatre in Downtown Little Rock is Arkansas’ longest-running nonprofit resident theater. Following its successful summer series, The Rep is showing some highly anticipated shows in 2024, such as “Hello, Dolly!,” “Pride & Prejudice” and “Footloose.”

Celebrity Attractions

Celebrity Attractions brings Broadway to the newly renovated, world-class Robinson Center stage in Little Rock, making the magic of live theatre more accessible for everyone. 

Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre

Located in Conway, this is the state’s only professional Shakespeare company and has been featured in The New York Times. Every summer, “Arkansas Shakes” utilizes local and outside talent to present a festival of Shakespeare’s plays and other shows.

Argenta Community Theater

Located in the Argenta Arts District, this theater has become a destination for high-quality performances in the Metro. The theater has dazzled audiences with productions like “The Sound of Music” and “A Chorus Line.” 

Ballet Arkansas

Ballet Arkansas has touched the lives of Arkansans for over 40 years and is the region’s top professional ballet company. The dance company presents a diverse repertory that includes celebrated classical and contemporary works as well as newer ones.

Wildwood Park for the Arts

Located in Chenal Valley, Wildwood Park for the Arts combines nature and the arts to create a unique experience. The nonprofit produces musicals and hosts local professional artists through its “Music in the Wild” concert series. Wildwood Park stands out with a 105-acre park, 625-seat theater complex and gorgeous botanical gardens.

Murry’s Dinner Playhouse

Since 1967, Murry’s has produced shows such as “Mary Poppins,” with casts of local performers. As a special touch, their chef creates show-themed menus to add to the fun of watching their productions. Murry’s puts on shows for all ages and is a wonderful place to enjoy dinner and a show. 

Reynolds Performance Hall

Located at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA), this world-class arts venue hosts a year-round calendar of performances that draw crowds from not only the Metro but all of Arkansas too. Season highlights still ahead in 2023 include “Blue Man Group,” “Amy Grant in Concert,” “Lucy Loves Desi,” and “The Wizard of Oz.”

Arkansas Symphony Orchestra

The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra draws more than 150,000 people annually for its season of concertos and collaborations. The orchestra is made up of the state’s most talented professional musicians who perform at the Robinson Center, which recently reopened after a $70.5 million renovation.