Creative organizations, city support, and community buy-in help the heart of Faulkner County distinguish itself as a destination for the arts
A mural by artist Austin Watt at The Rogue Roundabout pays homage to both Conway and the art of craft beer.
If you’re a creative person seeking a career in the arts, you don’t have to leave Arkansas to find it. That’s the mantra of Nick Stevens and his team at the Creative Institute of Central Arkansas, which offers apprentice-style training for students through its Emerging Talent Program. Nick co-founded the Institute in 2020 as a means of providing those interested in the arts with the tools necessary to find work in their field. “There’s a story of Arkansas not being a place for creative people,” Nick explains, “where your options are to become a starving artist or move somewhere like L.A., New York, Dallas, or Nashville. We started the Institute to show students they can turn their talents into lucrative, stable careers that allow them to do things they love.” The two-semester program includes courses such as graphic design, video production, and copywriting along with internship-style work at local businesses. “We’re equipping creatives to stay and flourish in Arkansas,” he adds….
