Arkansas Arts Center Director Todd Herman announced today that the Walton Family Foundation will make a donation of $1 million to the Arts Center over 10 years. Alice Walton wrote Herman:
“As a lifelong Arkansan, I value the role of visual and performing arts in communities across our state, and I respect the tough decisions that the board of the Arkansas Arts Center has made to sustain this institution during tough economic times. I also applaud the continued commitment to the City of Little Rock to provide exposure to the art to all residents of our state. … My hope is that our family’s gift serves as a catalyst, inspiring additional support from both public and private entities. A vibrant arts community in Central Arkansas has ripple effects throughout the state.”
The Arts Center reduced staff by two full-time positions and cut the pay of senior staff by 10 percent this year to help with cash flow problems.
The announcement came at the Arts Center’s annual meeting. There will be a fuller report on the meeting on our Eye Candy blog.