ARKANSAS MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS GRAND OPENING

Echoes of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts’ 100-year history could be felt during the grand opening of the newly reimagined facility on April 22, 2023.

While the entryway still boasts its iconic pillars, the museum has experienced a three-and-a-halfyear update that includes new facilities, classrooms and features that have modernized an essential piece of Little Rock’s infrastructure.

New museum areas offer gorgeous views of the courtyard in front of the museum, while spacious exhibit rooms display awe-inspiring artwork from around the world and throughout history.

The opening day could not have been more picture-perfect; the mild temperatures and sunny skies made the experience pleasant and bright.

Outdoor activities included various dining options as well as opportunities to take part in creating art or taking pictures at one of the many photo ops littering the landscape.

The project, funded by a $155 million campaign that dwarfed its original $128 million goal, is the most significant effort for a cultural project in Arkansas history. With the city of Little Rock donating $31 million to the project, and other generous contributions from various donors, this massive budget helped make this dream a reality.

Upon walking into the beautiful foyer, the intricate design of the building is mesmerizing; with a flowing roof and gorgeous pillars, the aesthetics are certainly befitting a facility designed to house fine art, as the building itself is a work of art. The project connected nine buildings, resulting in a 133,000 square foot building housing more than 14,000 permanent exhibits. The museum still features old favorites in the galleries and new exhibitions explicitly created for the updated museum.

Regular museum hours begin on Tuesday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. While admission is free, patrons can reserve timed tickets to ensure entry on the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts website at arkmfa.org.

BY JESSE CAIN