Yellow buses arriving during the celebration

For 20 years, arts education has been the cornerstone of Walton Arts Center, reaching more than half a million students and teachers throughout NWA and the state. Our learning and education programs are designed to help students, teachers and families make certain that the arts remain an essential part of their lives.

We work to provide every Northwest Arkansas student access to arts field classes through our Colgate Classroom Series. The Colgate Classroom Series offers live matinee performances in a variety of art forms including dance, theater, opera and world music.

Recently we had the Yellow Bus Celebration to kick-off the 20th season of our Colgate Classroom Series. State Representative, Uvalde Lindsey gave the key-note address, and Payton Bridewell, a former student that attended many performances through our Colgate Classroom Series, also spoke.

It was so interesting to hear her speak about the way that the early exposure to art has influenced her life. Payton said that because of her experience with the arts early on in life, she was actively involved in singing and drama throughout her high school and college, and is now a regular patron at Walton Arts Center.

We are so glad that we can provide this service to our community, and hope that over the next 20 years we will hear more stories like Payton's!