Date:  2026-04-01 11:27:11  |   Story: Stephanie Maxwell Newton  |  

Explore exhibit openings, stage productions, festivals, and more presented by arts organizations across the state this season

Unknown artist. Baltimore-Style Album Quilt, 1845-1850. Cotton with wool embroidery. 84 in. x 82 in. American Folk Art Museum, Gift of Altria Group, Inc., 2008.9.3. Image courtesty of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

“America 250: Common Threads”
◆ MARCH 14–JULY 27
Celebrate 250 years of the United States with “America 250: Common Threads” at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (crystalbridges.org) in Bentonville. An early engraving of the Declaration of Independence serves as the central piece of the exhibit alongside other historic documents, textiles, paintings, photographs, and even toys from 1776 to the present day that represent American history. This exhibit asks viewers to consider civic participation and the symbols artists use to depict the USA, from the profile of George Washington to images of the moon landing. Plus, don’t miss the grand opening of new and renovated galleries as part of the museum’s years-long expansion. Some areas, such as the Visions of America Galleries, are already open to the public; the official opening of all reimagined spaces takes place June 6-7. “America 250: Common Threads” is on view in the Temporary Exhibition Gallery, and general admission is $15 for adults.

“Stacked II (Miami, FL)” by Laura Tanner. Image courtesy of Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.

Art Insights
◆ ONGOING
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (arkmfa.org) in Little Rock began a new lecture series this year called Art Insights that invites artists, curators, and creatives from all realms to speak about the many ways art intersects with daily life. Two of these we’re particularly excited about feature AMFA’s current artist in residence, Laura Tanner, alongside local chefs. On April 23, with Roots and Recipes, Tanner draws connections with AMFA’s current exhibition “A Month of Sundays: Art and the Persistence of Time” (on view through September 6) to share how her creative process involves rituals surrounding food and mealtime traditions. Chefs from Brave New Restaurant, The Root Café, Trio’s, and AMFA’s own Park Grill will be a part of the discussion. On May 28, Tanner returns with A Shared Table, in which she’ll invite chefs from 42 Bar & Table, Cache, Capital Hotel, Raduno, and Park Grill to share inspirations behind some of their most popular dishes. Come hungry; there will be small bites from each chef’s restaurant in the atrium following both events.

“Pride & Prejudice”
◆ April 15–May 10
Fayetteville’s TheatreSquared (theatre2.org) takes Jane Austen’s classic “will they, won’t they” romance from page to stage with a production of “Pride & Prejudice.” Presented in collaboration with the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences Department of Theatre, the cast includes both University of Arkansas graduate students and professional actors. In addition, graduate students and faculty advisors are also involved behind the scenes and in set design. The world premiere of this adaptation captures the wit of Austen’s characters with all the humor and brilliance that has made it beloved for more than 200 years. Ticket prices vary depending on performance time and seating.

Art One Presents
◆ Ongoing
Founded in 1964 as the Springdale Music Club and more recently known as Arts Center of the Ozarks, Arts One Presents (artsonepresents.org) is the newest incarnation of an organization building community in Springdale. With a focus on visual and performing arts, upcoming events include Broadway Brunch, a fundraiser (with tickets starting at $125) featuring live performances of favorite Broadway tunes, a Bloody Mary bar, and art exhibited by local artists. Broadway Brunch is April 11 at The Apollo on Emma. On May 17, the organization partners with Symphony of Northwest Arkansas for SoNA and Beyond: Tone Painting at the Fayetteville Public Library. Experience local artists creating art in real-time to the sounds of one of the orchestra’s percussion trios, giving you a glimpse into the way sound influences visual art.

Arts & The Park
◆ April 24–May 5
Hot Springs Area Cultural Alliance (hotspringsarts.org) invites people to explore the many aspects of the arts alive and thriving in Hot Springs at its 11th annual Arts & The Park. The festival kicks off April 24 with two of its most popular events: Art Moves, which includes a reception and unveiling of the new 2026 visual art exhibit installed along the Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail, and Art Talks, a lecture with artist Patrick Shearn. Other events throughout the 10-day festival include creative workshops, culinary events, a poetry night, a gallery walk exploring the art galleries of downtown Hot Springs, and studio tours, all set against the theme “We the Arts,” a nod to America’s 250 anniversary this year.

Ballet Arkansas
◆ April 16–19
Little Rock-based company Ballet Arkansas (balletarkansas.org) wraps its 2025-2026 season with two productions at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. The first, “ICONS,” spotlights pieces by choreographers who have been at the forefront of American dance, including diverse styles and accompaniment by internationally renowned pianist Fei-Fei Dong. Performances are April 16 and April 17 in the Performing Arts Theater. Described as “hauntingly beautiful, classically epic,” “Giselle” takes the stage April 18 and April 19 in the same theater. Featuring both elements of the supernatural and a tale of star-crossed lovers, this is the Arkansas premiere of what is considered by many to be a cornerstone piece of the romantic ballet era. Tickets for both productions start at $25.

“Steel Magnolias”
◆ May 26–June 7
Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s (therep.org) SummerStage season starts May 26 with opening night of “Steel Magnolias,” the story of a tight-knit group of Southern women and how they lift each other up through love and loss. Made famous by the 1989 film of the same name, fans of the movie will enjoy seeing beloved characters like Truvy, Ouiser, M’Lynn, and Shelby come to life on stage. Tickets are available in season subscriptions and single-ticket bundles.

Artosphere Festival
◆ May 1–19
Presented by Walton Arts Center (waltonartscenter.org) in Fayetteville, this annual festival celebrates art, music, and nature while presenting ideas like sustainability and environmental awareness in a creative atmosphere. The fun starts on May 1 with Trail Mix, a free evening pop-up along the city’s Lower Ramble. Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, Mount Sequoyah, and the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel in Bella Vista also serve as backdrops for events throughout the festival, from musical performances to children’s theater to cocktail classes.

Culture Cravings

More to see, hear, and experience throughout the season

APRIL 10: CALS Speaker Series and NEA Big Read present author Ross Gay at Ron Robinson Theater in Little Rock

APRIL 10: Langhorne Slim: The Dreamin’ Kind Tour at George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville

APRIL 10-12, APRIL 16-18: “Rumors” at South Arkansas Arts Center in El Dorado

APRIL 16: North Mississippi Allstars at George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville

APRIL 8-19: “Wicked” at Robinson Center in Little Rock

APRIL 10-12, APRIL 17-19: “Little Women: The Musical” at UCA’s Windgate Center for Fine & Performing Arts in Conway

APRIL 16-19: Lanterns 2026 at Wildwood Park for the Arts in Little Rock

APRIL 17-18: 64th annual Arkansas Folk Festival in Mountain View

APRIL 21-22: Arkansas Symphony Orchestra presents “Shadows & Light” at ASO Stella Boyle Smith Music Center in Little Rock

APRIL 21-26: “Mamma Mia!” at Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville

APRIL 25: Gov’t Mule at the Hall in Little Rock

APRIL 25: Oasis Arts & Eats Fest in Jonesboro

APRIL 30: Art for Everyone by Liz Lidgett book signing at A Bold Collab in Fayetteville

MAY 2: “Will Barnet, Seasons of Life” opens at Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in Little Rock

MAY 9-10: Arkansas Symphony Orchestra presents “The Three Broadway Divas” at Robinson Center in Little Rock

MAY 17: Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier at The White Water Tavern in Little Rock

JUNE 6: “Keith Haring in 3D” opens at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville

JUNE 15-21: Bentonville Film Festival

JUNE 26-28: “Singing’ in the Rain SR.” at Wildwood Park for the Arts in Little Rock

JUNE 26-JULY 24: Opera in the Ozarks’ Summer 2026 Season in Eureka Springs