Date: July 31, 2026 | Story: Stephanie Maxwell Newton | Photography: Lawrence Knox |
An expansion of Bentonville’s seminal art museum generates excitement that reverberates across the region
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art opened in 2011 with a revolutionary mission: to offer access to a world-class collection of art free of charge. This summer, after 15 years and more than 15 million visitors, it doubled down with the opening of a major expansion that creates even more opportunities for displaying the permanent collection, hosting temporary exhibitions, and, most importantly, inspiring connection. “It’s about social engagement,” says executive director Rod Bigelow. “It’s really about coming together, having conversations, and enjoying an experience.” Here, we spoke with Rod about the museum’s growth, his favorite elements of the expansion, and how, as a transplant originally from the Pacific Northwest, he enjoys all Northwest Arkansas has to offer.
Q: Sometimes people from outside Arkansas express surprise about a museum of Crystal Bridges’ caliber being located here. What makes Bentonville such a fitting location for the museum?
A: I think Alice Walton’s vision for Crystal Bridges is quite powerful and bold. The idea of access for all to great art was something that she didn’t have when she was a kid, and bringing it to her backyard and her home state was thrilling. When you think about where we are located, Bentonville is almost in the geographic center of the country. We’re very much in the epicenter of the heartland. And with Arkansas being The Natural State, the outdoor experience is a very important part of who we are as an institution—our pillars are art, architecture, and nature—and that nature component is really key to the magic that’s at Crystal Bridges. It’s something that’s wonderful about Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas, and Arkansas itself, too.
Q: How does the recent expansion help further the museum’s mission?
A: This expansion is basically a 50% increase in the square footage of the buildings, and that space is almost all public. We’re bringing more of the things that everybody loves: more gallery spaces where you can engage with more artists, new art, and new ways of displaying art. We’ve really made an effort to add craft and indigenous art as well as gems and minerals to the collection to give a full experience of what it is to think about America.
Q: What else is new that patrons can expect to see?
A: There’s a brand new temporary exhibition gallery space that currently features “Keith Haring in 3D,” which is just jaw-droppingly beautiful. There’s a new area called The Hub, which is a place where anyone can gather and dip their toe into making art such as ceramics, drawing, painting, or even rug tufting. There are also classrooms, workshop spaces, and an artist-in-residence space where you can experience an artist’s studio. The Walmart for Good community space will be free for community groups to come and use, and then there’s a beautiful new bridge that crosses the waterway with a café called Quartz & Honey. All of that surrounds an outdoor space with a splash pad. We’re trying to disrupt the idea of what it’s like to come to an art museum. So yes, you can come in and engage with art and architecture, but we also want people to directly connect with the outdoors and just have fun.
Q: This same creative energy extends throughout Northwest Arkansas. Do you ever make your way to other parts of the region?
A: You bet. I have four kids who go to the U of A right now—three in the master’s program in business and one in law school—so I’m a big Razorback fan at the moment. I spend time in Fayetteville enjoying the Walton Arts Center and go to the AMP in Rogers. It’s a super bikeable region, and we bike as a family down to Rogers and just hang out downtown. My wife actually commutes on bike every day. It’s pretty cool because there are a lot of places you can stop along the way and experience a park or eat a meal.
Q: What else is on the horizon for Crystal Bridges?
A: Later in the summer we’ll be opening what’s called the Ozark Discovery Canopy, which is a cool new space in one of our ravines that’s a collaboration with the Amazeum. It is an opportunity for kids and families to dive into the forest on the grounds. There will be a waterfall, climbing nets, a fog room, sculptures, and all sorts of fun things that will invite you into the forest. We’re really trying to bridge the connection between art and nature in that way.
We’ve also got really exciting temporary exhibition programming that will roll out over the next several years. And you’ll continue to see our campus come alive because we not only have the Alice Walton School of Medicine on campus, but we have the Heartland Whole Health Institute here as well. There are a couple of projects that are not announced quite yet that will come on the campus as well. Yeah, so, we’re not stopping. I think we’re celebrating the platform that we built and making sure everybody feels welcome in this space and will continue to be responsive to what this community needs.
Crystal Brides’ executive director Rod Bigelow
Splash pad at Crystal Bridges
Sicarú Coffee Roasters in Fayetteville
Written By the Seasons in Bentonville
Read on for more of our favorite ways to discover Northwest Arkansas.
DINE
First opened in 2020, Confident Coffee (confidentcoffeeroasters.com) now proudly boasts locations in Johnson, Fayetteville, and Rogers, each with slightly different offerings—from coffee and pastries to wine, beer, and pizza. Long a favorite in central Arkansas, The Purple Cow (ilovepurplecow.com) opened its first Northwest Arkansas restaurant this spring. Order from a menu of American classics like burgers, sandwiches, and milkshakes and clean your plate in a nostalgic, 1950s diner-inspired setting. Dallas-based Written By The Seasons (writtenbytheseasons.com) brought its Michelin-recommended fare to Bentonville this spring. As its name implies, fresh, seasonal ingredients are integral to its ethos, with fish, duck, lamb, and steak all appearing on the menu.
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
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DESIGN
Fayetteville’s Southern Loft (mysouthernloft.com) is a local favorite for those looking to create comfortable, thoughtfully layered interiors. Shop trusted lines such as Ambella Home, Ann Gish, Gabby, Universal, and more at their spacious store. With custom drapery, shades, and hardware, Interior Fabrics & Design (fabricsanddrapes.com) has everything you need for the finishing layers of your project, as well as pillows and bags featuring Laura Park’s colorful watercolors available in store. In Springdale, Abide Furniture (abidefurniture.net) features thoughtfully curated furniture and décor—including a wide selection of rugs—suited to any style. Shop their showroom floor or work with a staff member on selections for a custom look. Founded in Little Rock 30 years ago, C&F Flooring & Rug Gallery (candfcarpet.com) expanded its offerings to Northwest Arkansas. Find carpet, flooring, tile, and other finishes for your next home improvement project at their Springdale showroom. Also with roots in Little Rock, Countertop World (countertopworldar.com) now has a presence in Rogers—including a 18,700-square-foot facility where you can pick out the perfect slab, consult with a professional, and see your vision come to life with expert fabrication. Take your outdoor living space to the next level when you work with Seaside Pools (seasidepools.com). With experience in new construction, remodels, and designer finishes, their team can turn any backyard setting into an everyday oasis.
VISIT
Explore the new galleries and amenities at Crystal Bridges museum of american art (crystalbridges.org), where general admission is free and the grounds and museum are open every day except Tuesday. “Keith Haring in 3D” is on view through January 25, 2027, and tickets are $18. Just up the road, the Scott Family Amazeum (amazeum.org) is a hub of hands-on learning. Exhibits based around engineering, art, and the outdoors encourage curiosity and creativity among visitors of all ages. In Rogers, MIXD Gallery (mixd.gallery) showcases emerging artists based in the Ozarks and beyond. Their current exhibit, “Craig Colorusso: Liminal Spaces,” is on view through August 6. Ready to treat yourself? Book an appointment at Beyond Wellness (beyondwellnessar.com) in Rogers, where experienced staff offer functional wellness, aesthetic services, hormone therapy, and more.
Confident Coffee
Written By the Seasons
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