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Walton Arts Center: The House that Wal-Mart Built

Although the sound didn’t carry far from the Fayetteville First Baptist Church gymnasium where the North Arkansas Symphony was performing back in the late 1980s, the whispered hopes for a world-class performing arts venue could be heard miles away.

It seemed like fate that at the same time the city of Fayetteville began dreaming up plans for a multiuse community arts facility, the University of Arkansas, along with the Walton Family, had begun plans to construct an auditorium that could accommodate major touring shows, performing arts opportunities and Wal-Mart shareholders meetings. It didn’t take long before both parties decided to band together to create what would become Arkansas’ premier center for the performing arts and entertainment.

The Walton Arts Center opened in 1992, introducing artists and entertainers from around the world to its friendly and arts-driven community in northwest Arkansas. The center hosted Broadway shows, summer camps and numerous community events before it debuted its grandest performance of all, a $23 million expansion and renovation completed in November 2016. Today the center offers six meeting and event spaces where groups can gather and be entertained without leaving the building.

From the beginning, the attentive and passionate staff and shareholders have held a uniform vision that the center would be a venue that connects and engages people through inspiring arts experiences, and their dedication to that vision is evident with each meeting and performance. The center’s glass-walled exterior creates a sense of unanimity with the Dickson Street entertainment district beyond. The center has become more than a venue for shows or meetings; visitors and meeting guests of the Walton Arts Center have immediate access to Fayetteville’s finest restaurants and shops. And the University of Arkansas campus is located just a short walk away from the center.

From perfectly staged events to entertaining outings, the Walton Arts Center is a fantastic space for gathering in Arkansas.

Meeting Spaces

The Walton Arts Center began as a meeting venue, and one of its premier sponsors, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., has held its annual shareholder meeting in the center’s amphitheater since its inception. The center offers six meeting and event spaces, including the Baum Walker Hall, maximum 1201 guests; the Starr Theater, maximum 250 guests; the McBride Studio, maximum 60 guests seated or 100 guests for a standing reception, depending on the setup; the Sudduth Garden Room and Bradberry Amphitheater, maximum 32 guests seated or 100 for a standing reception; and the Joy Pratt Markham Gallery, maximum 75 guests.

Catering

Although there are no restaurants or on-site caterers at the Walton Arts Center, the center operates a concession stand, and more than a dozen restaurants that welcome groups are within walking distance of the venue. The meetings and events staff works with a select group of preferred caterers that offer diverse menus and are familiar with the ins and outs of the Walton Arts Center’s unique spaces. The center does allow alcohol; however, the center’s management is the sole provider for the venue, so all sales need to go through the events team.

Showstopper

The natural beauty of the building makes decorating for events a breeze, as there is no need for extensive decor in the already striking space. The window of the Walker Atrium looks out on the historic Old Main — the first building at the University of Arkansas, built in 1879 — and provides a symbolic glance of the region’s rich past. The spaces inside the Walton Arts Center are great for birthday parties, holiday gatherings and more, and the group sales department will gladly arrange flexible payment options and group ticket prices for performances before and after events.

25 Years Onstage

Over the years, the Walton Arts Center has been a landmark in Fayetteville and on Dickson Street. Residents have grown up seeing shows and performances at the center, and there is a sense of nostalgia associated with the venue. This year, the center is celebrating 25 years of entertaining guests, and the anniversary season is packed with performances to please all ages. Everything from Broadway productions to one-man shows and jazz concerts will grace the stage.

Walton Arts Center

Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas

Type of Venue: Off-site, theater

Capacity: 1,200

Nearby Accommodations: Chancellor Hotel

Contact Info: 

479-443-5600
www.waltonartscenter.org