An Arkansas Arts Center committee named to select the architect for the arts center's multimillion dollar renovation has chosen the Chicago-based firm Studio Gang, a choice widely expected after the firm's presentation to the public at the Arts Center on Nov. 1.
Arkansas Arts Center Director Todd Herman announced that the Arts Center Foundation is preparing an RFQ for architectural firms to bid on the renovation of the Arts Center. The RFQ put the price of construction for the new Arts Center at $55 million to $65 million.
In a special election today, Little Rock voters said yes to a bond issue that will fund an overhaul of the Arkansas Arts Center, as well as improvements to MacArthur Park and the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History.
The Arkansas Arts Center is moving forward with a study of a new facility for the arts center. The plan for a new center in North Little Rock moves on.
Mayor Mark Stodola has released a letter he mailed early Wednesday to the Arkansas Arts Center's Board of Trustees asking that Little Rock be included in any deliberations about the future of the Arts Center and reminding them of the city's dollar investment in the museum. He sent the letter prior to Arts Center Director Todd Herman's missive that included a statement from the Arts Center Foundation.
Leslie Peacock has news on Rock Candy about the study of a potential move of the Arkansas Arts Center to a new location on the riverfront in North Little Rock.
In short, yes, it's among possibilities being studied.
Arkansas Arts Center Director Todd Herman sent the members of the Arkansas Arts Center's Board of Trustees a letter today "in light of recent articles regarding the Arts Center," articles raising the possibility that the Arts Center Foundation is exploring North Little Rock as a site for a future arts center, with funding support from that city.
The members of the board of directors at the Arkansas Arts Center will be provided an "information sheet" tomorrow on reporting by the Times' Max Brantley and the follow-up by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that a private-public partnership is being considered to build a new arts center in North Little Rock.
Mayor Mark Stodola today said he would not be in favor of moving the Arts Center north of the river, since Little Rock "has spent millions" on the Arts Center since its founding by the Fine Arts Club in 1937 (read the history of the Arts Center here).