Arts Center of the Ozarks
The Arts Center of the Ozarks is located on South Main Street in downtown Springdale and is the city’s preeminent destination for the performing arts. From classical to folk music, and from theater to musicals, the center hosts a diverse array of productions throughout the year, so it’s a favorite place for those with varied interests. Its relatively small size fosters personal and intimate experiences that are often missing when visiting larger venues. Since it’s primarily managed and produced by locals, it’s a great way to support them and have a few hours of entertainment in the process. Arts One Presents, formerly Arts Center of the Ozarks, is best known for its theater production along with visual art. The organization began as the Springdale Fine Arts Association in 1967, originally being the only community theatre in Northwest Arkansas.[citation needed] After opening, the ACO has shown a wide variety of shows, including: local community shows, traveling shows and the American Girl Fashion Show.
Arts Center of the Ozarks is a cultural center in Springdale best known for hosting entertaining and spectacular theater productions. Its 425-seater theater regularly organizes community shows, musicals, plays and occasional fashion shows. You can also enroll your children in theater workshops and visual art classes here, as you take a tour of the art gallery that regularly hosts exhibitions by local artists. You can rent their halls for a personal event as well. Today the Arts Center of the Ozarks has unveiled its new brand identity as Arts One Presents and announced the organization’s upcoming programming lineup. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, based in Springdale, will continue to provide performing and visual arts experiences across Northwest Arkansas and seeks to empower artists, enrich business and engage the local community.
Since 1966, the organization behind Arts One Presents has served the Northwest Arkansas community by enhancing cultural arts opportunities in the region through theater productions, musical performances and visual arts education. Evolution has been a crucial part of the organization’s legacy since its inception as the Springdale Music Club 55 years ago, as it transforms to fit the ever-changing needs of the community with cutting-edge creativity in the modern era. The organization is led by Executive Director Anne Jackson, who has worked in Development and Advancement at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and with numerous local charitable organizations. Anne is joined by Taylor Dolan, Program Manager for Performing Arts, and David Gomez, Program Manager for Visual Arts. The offices of Arts One Presents are located in Downtown Springdale, and the organization will offer events to engage diverse communities throughout the region. All events and programming are designed to present opportunities to experience public art by local artists of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
In addition to its rebrand, Arts One Presents is pleased to announce its launch event taking place Thursday, Oct. 7. Starting at 4:30 p.m., the organization will partner with the “Live at Turnbow” event at Walter Turnbow Park in Downtown Springdale with live performances and a community art project. This free night of entertainment in the park is open to the public. The organization has also announced its inaugural season’s performances to be presented in various venues and theaters around Northwest Arkansas. The events include “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812” in February 2022, “Teen Dad,” written by Northwest Arkansas writer and producer Adrienne Dawes, in April 2022 and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” in July 2022. An extensive lineup of additional programming will be announced soon. The Arts One Presents vast costume collection and creative assets will continue to serve the performing arts community of Northwest Arkansas through an upcoming exhibition, and will continue to be on loan to creative and performance-based community partners. For more information about Arts One Presents, their missions and vision, visit them at artsonepresents.org.