FAYETTEVILLE -- The Walton Arts Center announced its fourth major private donation to an ongoing capital campaign -- this time from J.B. Hunt Transport.
The Lowell-based trucking and logistics company gave $500,000 to the arts center for its $23 million expansion and renovation project, according to a news release Wednesday.
"The Walton Arts Center not only enriches the lives of children and families in Northwest Arkansas, it sculpts the creative minds of our future innovators," John Roberts, J.B. Hunt's president and CEO, said in the release. "We could not be more pleased to provide our support and investment in this impactful initiative, assisting in the development of the arts in our own community."
The expansion and renovation project will add 30,000 square feet to the arts center, 495 W. Dickson St. It includes a larger lobby, expanded Starr Theater, more backstage space and new administrative offices.
According to the news release, J.B. Hunt for years has paid to bus students to arts center programs.
"J.B. Hunt has been a generous supporter of transporting kids to Walton Arts Center for over two decades," said Peter Lane, center president and CEO. "Together, J.B. Hunt and Walton Arts Center will continue to positively impact the lives of families and children by increasing access to the arts."
Other recent donors to the arts center's capital campaign are the Walton Family Foundation ($5 million), Walmart Foundation ($1.5 million) and Bentonville residents Marti and Kelly Sudduth ($1 million).
Fayetteville residents in November 2013 overwhelmingly approved $6.3 million in hotel, motel and restaurant-tax backed bonds that are also paying for the project.
Arts center officials plan to break ground on the expanded lobby and new Dickson Street entrance this summer. Most of that work is expected to wrap up this fall, in time for a Nov. 10 showing of "Pippin," the first performance in the five-show 2015-16 Procter & Gamble Broadway series.
Heavy construction is scheduled to resume next summer with the Starr Theater expansion on the southwest side of the building. Having a larger theater and more backstage space will allow arts center officials to schedule more performances at the same time. Currently, Starr Theater is often used for storage and wig and makeup space when major performances take place in Baum Walker Hall.
NW News on 05/15/2015