The local arts experience unites our diverse communities, providing a vibrant canvas for all to appreciate, ranging from small and independent to world-class exhibitions and performances—you can encounter all of it right here in Northwest Arkansas.
ENTERTAINMENT
Arts
Festivals and Events

Co-founded by Academy Award winner Geena Davis & Inclusion Companies CEO Trevor Drinkwater, BFF is a one of a kind event championing underrepresented voices of diverse storytellers—amplifying females, LGBTQI, people of color, and people with disabilities in entertainment and media.

INTERFORM Fashion Week’s mission is to highlight fashion trends, burgeoning local brands and up and coming designers, to celebrate Northwest Arkansas’ growing culture, and raise awareness and support for local organizations that are doing incredible things in the world.

The Walton Arts Center puts on a beloved community event that takes place across Northwest Arkansas along the Razorback Regional Greenway. Artosphere is Arkansas’ Arts and Nature Festival, celebrating artists influenced by nature, who inspire us to live more sustainable lives. There’s something for everyone.

The Little Craft Show happens twice a year, once in Bentonville and once in Fayetteville, both popular events for makers and creatives. Hundreds of booths go up at these events, and both are well known throughout the South.Â

Cultural Festivals
Types of festivals include Barrio Fiesta presented by Northwest Arkansas Filipino American Association, The Northwest Arkansas Hispanic Heritage Festival, The Indian Cultural Association of Northwest Arkansas Independence Day Celebration, and Botanical Garden of the Ozarks International Festival as a part of Welcoming Week, a series of events nationwide bringing together immigrants, refugees and native-born residents.

The largest LGBTQI Pride celebration in Arkansas is an annual event. In just over a decade, NWA Pride has grown from 200 brave participants and spectators into a multi-day calendar of events serving more than 20,000 residents and tourists and has the honor of being Fayetteville’s second-largest event, and Arkansas’ largest LGBTQI Pride celebration.

The Museum of Native American History hosts a three-day event that brings Native artists, actors, leaders and advocates from across the country to Northwest Arkansas.

A playwright-focused festival premiering a celebration of new works for the American stage, linking authors to a director, dramaturg, and professional cast. Launched in 2009, The Arkansas New Play Festival has helped incubate the development of more than 50 plays.Â

The premiere festival in Northwest Arkansas showcasing video and photography from high school and college students to build strong connections and networks to enable a sustainable pathway from education to industry.

A cultural leader in our region, the Fayetteville Film Festival brings world-class film to our state, developing meaningful relationships with filmmakers, and nurturing the art of filmmaking by uniting a community of creators and supporters

Downtown Rogers Art on the Bricks Art Walk is a program of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce. The Art Walk showcases regional artists while enhancing the artistic and cultural opportunities in Rogers, Arkansas.
Shrouded by a 120-acre wooded park and trail system in the center of Bentonville sits the 217,000 square-foot space, designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie, and home to permanent American masterworks from the likes of John Singer Sargent, Norman Rockwell, James Turrell and Andy Warhol and the stunning Yayoi Kusama’s artwork, Infinity Mirrored Room—My Heart is Dancing into the Universe. Temporary exhibitions have included the Tate Modern developed Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power, Hank Willis Thomas: All Things Being Equal, and the acclaimed State of the Art, showcasing an extensive nationwide selection of contemporary art from artists not yet recognized at the national level.
A newly opened 63,000-square-foot contemporary art space for visual and performing arts, culinary experiences, festivals, artists-in-residence, and more, invites the public to make contemporary art a part of their daily routine. Chicago’s Wheeler Kearns Architects developed a sustainable adaptive reuse plan for the former Kraft plant, situated along the Razorback Regional Greenway trail and near 8th Street Market in downtown Bentonville.
An interactive arts and sciences museum in Bentonville for children and families to embrace curiosity and creativity through collaborative exhibits and programs, including workshops, camps, and nearly one acre of outdoor space. Exhibitions include the 3M Tinkering Hub, General Mills Lift, Load and Haul, Market Sponsored by Walmart, Nature Valley Water Amazements, Nickelodeon Play Lab, Hershey’s Lab and more. The Amazeum has officially welcomed over one million guests since opening in 2019.
Founded by David Bogle, a registered member of the Cherokee Nation born and raised in Bentonville, the Museum of Native American History (MONAH) houses over 10,000 of the finest Native American artifacts, and is recognized as a thriving cultural center representing indigenous communities through storytelling, song, art, language, dialogue and more — connecting with and paying respect to the Native American tribes of our region and our state, including the Osage, Caddo and Quapaw people, is a critical element of the past and future.
A nationally recognized professional theatre, offering 220 performances a year in an intimate setting with state-of-the-art community space in downtown Fayetteville. TheatreSquared has been recognized by the American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards, as one of the nation’s ten most promising emerging theatres. TheatreSquared recently completed a new, architecturally significant, permanent home for professional theatre in Northwest Arkansas. This 50,000 square-foot cultural landmark unites two intimate theatres, rehearsal space, a three- level commons and café, outdoor gathering spaces, production workshops, offices and artists’ apartments.

A world-class performing arts center hosting plays and musicals from Broadway stages, as well as performances and entertainers from all over the world. Shows include The Book of Mormon, Les Misérables, Fiddler on the Roof, CATS, School of Rock, Hair, Jersey Boys, RENT and more. Be the first in line for critically acclaimed Hamilton coming early 2022.

The Arkansas Public Theatre believes the performing arts is an essential part of a healthy community — providing live theater experiences for audiences, performers and students that enhance the Rogers Historic District as a regional destination.

More to See
Established in 1927. This downtown Fayetteville gem is a local music mecca, over the years showcasing acts like Turnpike Troubadours, Bassnectar, Big Gigantic, Zac Brown Band, Fitz & the Tantrums, Cherub, Tower of Power, Animal Collective, Phantogram, comedian Hannibal Burress, Sturgill Simpson, Old Crow Medicine Show, Dierks Bentley and so many more.
The state’s largest outdoor amphitheater hosting world-class touring artists and musicians for every music fan, including Janet Jackson, Rob Thomas, The Killers, comedian Trevor Noah, Earth, Wind, & Fire, Florida Georgia Line, Leon Bridges, Travis Scott, G-Eazy, Lil Uzi Vert, The Smashing Pumpkins, Santana, Brad Paisley, Jackson Browne and more.
Once a historic movie theater, the Meteor has been restored into a guitar store and performance venue. The store houses over a thousand instruments and amplifiers, local art pieces, and comfortably accommodates 370 people for live music, movie nights, or parties.
Butterfield Stage is an outdoor pavilion with seating up to 1,500 that hosts the annual Railyard Live concert series. The entrance to the stage is housed within what used to be the farmer’s market building.
Arkansas’ largest soundstage, with over 10,000 square feet of available shooting space, the space includes a large corner cyc wall, 15-foot grid, and lighting to make for the best experience for film, tv, and photo in Northwest Arkansas.

Spearheaded by president, founder, and Arkansas native, Blake Elder, Rockhill Studios was established with the goal to not only produce excellent content but to provide a oneÂ-stop facility for all things creative, from pre-production to post.

Located in the heart of Fayetteville’s arts district, the Creative Community Center is a non-profit visual and studio arts organization providing classes, workshops and camps in a variety of hands-on art forms including clay and pottery, painting, drawing, printmaking, glass fusion and mixed media for children and adults of all ages and skill levels.Â
The Latin Art Organization of Arkansas promotes and strengthens Latin culture with a vision to preserve and enrich the Latin cultural heritage by contributing to its traditions, customs, creations, and concepts of universal inclusion through spirit and mind.

Shrouded by a 120-acre wooded park and trail system in the center of Bentonville sits the 217,000 square-foot space, designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie, and home to permanent American masterworks from the likes of John Singer Sargent, Norman Rockwell, James Turrell and Andy Warhol and the stunning Yayoi Kusama’s artwork, Infinity Mirrored Room—My Heart is Dancing into the Universe. Temporary exhibitions have included the Tate Modern developed Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power, Hank Willis Thomas: All Things Being Equal, and the acclaimed State of the Art, showcasing an extensive nationwide selection of contemporary art from artists not yet recognized at the national level.

A newly opened 63,000-square-foot contemporary art space for visual and performing arts, culinary experiences, festivals, artists-in-residence, and more, invites the public to make contemporary art a part of their daily routine. Chicago’s Wheeler Kearns Architects developed a sustainable adaptive reuse plan for the former Kraft plant, situated along the Razorback Regional Greenway trail and near 8th Street Market in downtown Bentonville.

An interactive arts and sciences museum in Bentonville for children and families to embrace curiosity and creativity through collaborative exhibits and programs, including workshops, camps, and nearly one acre of outdoor space. Exhibitions include the 3M Tinkering Hub, General Mills Lift, Load and Haul, Market Sponsored by Walmart, Nature Valley Water Amazements, Nickelodeon Play Lab, Hershey’s Lab and more. The Amazeum has officially welcomed over one million guests since opening in 2019.

Founded by David Bogle, a registered member of the Cherokee Nation born and raised in Bentonville, the Museum of Native American History (MONAH) houses over 10,000 of the finest Native American artifacts, and is recognized as a thriving cultural center representing indigenous communities through storytelling, song, art, language, dialogue and more — connecting with and paying respect to the Native American tribes of our region and our state, including the Osage, Caddo and Quapaw people, is a critical element of the past and future.

A nationally recognized professional theatre, offering 220 performances a year in an intimate setting with state-of-the-art community space in downtown Fayetteville. TheatreSquared has been recognized by the American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards, as one of the nation’s ten most promising emerging theatres. TheatreSquared recently completed a new, architecturally significant, permanent home for professional theatre in Northwest Arkansas. This 50,000 square-foot cultural landmark unites two intimate theatres, rehearsal space, a three- level commons and café, outdoor gathering spaces, production workshops, offices and artists’ apartments.

A world-class performing arts center hosting plays and musicals from Broadway stages, as well as performances and entertainers from all over the world. Shows include The Book of Mormon, Les Misérables, Fiddler on the Roof, CATS, School of Rock, Hair, Jersey Boys, RENT and more. Be the first in line for critically acclaimed Hamilton coming early 2022.

The Arkansas Public Theatre believes the performing arts is an essential part of a healthy community — providing live theater experiences for audiences, performers and students that enhance the Rogers Historic District as a regional destination.
More to See

Established in 1927. This downtown Fayetteville gem is a local music mecca, over the years showcasing acts like Turnpike Troubadours, Bassnectar, Big Gigantic, Zac Brown Band, Fitz & the Tantrums, Cherub, Tower of Power, Animal Collective, Phantogram, comedian Hannibal Burress, Sturgill Simpson, Old Crow Medicine Show, Dierks Bentley and so many more.

The state’s largest outdoor amphitheater hosting world-class touring artists and musicians for every music fan, including Janet Jackson, Rob Thomas, The Killers, comedian Trevor Noah, Earth, Wind, & Fire, Florida Georgia Line, Leon Bridges, Travis Scott, G-Eazy, Lil Uzi Vert, The Smashing Pumpkins, Santana, Brad Paisley, Jackson Browne and more.

Once a historic movie theater, the Meteor has been restored into a guitar store and performance venue. The store houses over a thousand instruments and amplifiers, local art pieces, and comfortably accommodates 370 people for live music, movie nights, or parties.

Butterfield Stage is an outdoor pavilion with seating up to 1,500 that hosts the annual Railyard Live concert series. The entrance to the stage is housed within what used to be the farmer’s market building.

Arkansas’ largest soundstage, with over 10,000 square feet of available shooting space, the space includes a large corner cyc wall, 15-foot grid, and lighting to make for the best experience for film, tv, and photo in Northwest Arkansas.

Spearheaded by president, founder, and Arkansas native, Blake Elder, Rockhill Studios was established with the goal to not only produce excellent content but to provide a oneÂ-stop facility for all things creative, from pre-production to post.

Located in the heart of Fayetteville’s arts district, the Creative Community Center is a non-profit visual and studio arts organization providing classes, workshops and camps in a variety of hands-on art forms including clay and pottery, painting, drawing, printmaking, glass fusion and mixed media for children and adults of all ages and skill levels.Â

The Latin Art Organization of Arkansas promotes and strengthens Latin culture with a vision to preserve and enrich the Latin cultural heritage by contributing to its traditions, customs, creations, and concepts of universal inclusion through spirit and mind.
Galleries
The Art Collective Gallery
Art On The Square
211 South Gallery
(formerly Midtown gallery)
Wishing Springs
Ed Cooley Gallery
Rogers Experimental House
The Medium (CACHE)
Local Color Studio Gallery
Art Ventures
The Fenix Gallery
Terra Studios
Highlights
