Those of us living in Northwest Arkansas are fortunate to have access to world-class museums & experiences for free, paid for by Walmart, The Walton Foundation, Tyson, and many other major corporations headquartered here. In the past four years, I’ve been able to experience one of Yayoi Kusama’s infinity mirror rooms, viewed Nick Cave’s provocative installation Until, and stopped at an art installation that was once a gas station and is still a working mechanic shop, just to name a few.
Northwest Arkansas – Fayetteville, Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, and beyond – is known more for major corporations & outdoor adventures than art, but that is about to change. These 5 area museums and attractions will make you rethink the possibilities of what small towns can be.
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
The permanent collection at Crystal Bridges spans 5 decades with major works by renowned American artists Georgia O’Keeffe, James Turrell, Andy Warhol, and Norman Rockwell, just to name a few. General admission to view the permanent collection is always free.
Modern art in a former Kraft cheese factory? Yes, please! A visit to The Momentary is more visual & experiential than a traditional museum, plus a cocktail bar, live performances, & a beautiful outdoor space. General admission is always free.
Inspired by Sainte-Chapelle, a Gothic church in Paris, and designed by architect E. Fay Jones, Thorncrown Chapel is renowned for the Frank Lloyd Wright design style & a popular wedding venue. Since its construction in 1980, Thorncrown consistently appears on top lists as one of the most beautiful churches in the world.
Led by UnexpectedFS and curated by JustKids, downtown Fort Smith has been revitalized by an infusion of free & accessible art in Fort Smith and beyond. A free map will lead you on a walking or driving tour of vibrant and inspiring installations. New projects are announced often on their Instagram, so stay tuned!
21C Museum Hotel in Bentonville
By fusing two seemingly disparate things, two art collectors founded 21C Museum Hotels, a boutique chain of hotels in the flyover states. Each location is unique, with contemporary art galleries, and farm-to-table, chef-driven restaurants.
