AGP Executive Report

Arts & Theater: Tony Award-winning musical “The Outsiders” is coming to Walton Arts Center in Northwest Arkansas, with single tickets now on sale for performances Sept. 1–6 (waltonartscenter.org; 479-443-5600). Music Education: UT Tyler’s 2026 Jazz Camp runs June 22–26 and features internationally recognized trombonist Ben Patterson as the guest artist. Brass Spotlight: Arkansas State University trumpet students placed second at the 2026 Ryan Anthony Memorial Chamber Music Competition in Rochester, New York. Local Music Festival: Amplify Christian Music Festival returns to Benton June 12–13 with Phil Wickham headlining; admission is free but registration is required. Art Exhibit: Washington Art Association will present “How I Got Here: Space, Color and Pattern,” a painting exhibition by Barbara Grossman, opening June 27. Community Events: Gentry’s July 4 Freedom Fest lineup is set, with craft vendors, food trucks, live bands, and a fireworks finale.

High School Sports: Skylar Sterritt, an Arkansas softball incoming freshman, was named the 2025-26 Gatorade Arkansas Softball Player of the Year after a standout season that included a state-record 205 career stolen bases, plus strong classroom and community work. Local Arts & Culture: Little Rock artist Marissa Thornberry is the new artist in residence at Nexus Coffee Roasters, debuting “Remaining Human” with a public reception June 12 as part of 2nd Friday Art Night. Community Events: Texarkana’s Downtown Live returns for its monthly art-and-entertainment night, and Hypecon 2026 kicks off with wrestling plus a weekend convention lineup. Arts & Entertainment Spotlight: Red Bird Press in Houston shows how traditional printmaking can turn a blank coaster into a custom piece of art. Sports (College): UCA outfielder Zeb Allen committed to Arkansas for 2027, while Arkansas softball hired Boise State associate head coach Justin Shults. News/Media Moment: KFSM meteorologist Noah Simmons kept broadcasting tornado warnings while a studio light caught fire, earning major praise online. Civic/City Watch: Little Rock’s board will vote on a $20M financing plan for River Market food hall upgrades.

Local Arts & Culture: Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville is rolling out a major 114,000-square-foot expansion, adding new galleries, studios, outdoor space, and a fresh “Keith Haring in 3D” exhibition—aimed at making the museum visit feel more like an experience than a march through art history. Music & Faith: CAIN announced a 25-city “Live and In Worship” fall 2026 tour with special guests, plus a rotating color-theme concept for each weekend. Arkansas Spotlight (Sports/Entertainment): A new feature looks at the real-life Bass Reeves, separating the dramatized “Lawmen” story from the documented history of the Arkansas-born lawman. Community & Events: The inaugural Lake Lewisville Dragon Boat Festival (June 27) pairs global racing tradition with family-friendly entertainment and philanthropy, with proceeds benefiting Serve Denton. Business/Tech (Arkansas-linked): BOND.AI and BankBound, based in Little Rock, announced a partnership to help financial institutions use transaction-level data for personalized digital marketing. Weather: Magnolia is in for warm, humid days with a heat advisory Tuesday.

College Baseball Spotlight: Troy baseball is headed to the College World Series for the first time in program history after sweeping Little Rock, and the first CWS matchup is set for Troy vs. West Virginia with a confirmed time/date. Arts & Culture: Crystal Bridges in Bentonville is rolling out a major expansion—an added 114,000 square feet with new galleries and education space—continuing its momentum as a major American art destination. Local Community & Outdoors: Northwest Arkansas Community College approved a plan for on-campus student housing, and the Bentonville Bike Fest returns June 9–14 with races, clinics, demos, and family rides. Arts Education & Youth: The Lincoln School District Outdoor Program is expanding beyond archery, air rifle, trap shooting and fishing, with rock climbing next year. Food & Local Flavor: Pickering Farms is featured at the Gravette Farmers Market with homemade cookies, handpies, breads, jams, jellies, and honey. Public Life: Arkansas’ Juneteenth celebrations are back at the University of Arkansas campus on June 20 with live music, performances, and a free health fair.

College Baseball Spotlight: Troy’s Trojans made history by sweeping Little Rock in their first-ever Super Regional, drawing a record crowd of 13,000+ and punching their ticket to the College World Series in Omaha, where they’ll open Friday against West Virginia. Music & Touring: Bryson Tiller dropped the new single “Drop The Lo,” as he gears up for “The Neo Trapsoul Tour” with North American dates starting in late August and UK/Europe follow-ups. Tech & Connectivity: Uniti Wholesale and Beanfield announced expanded cross-border dark fiber connectivity between Canada and the U.S., anchored by the CanAm2 route from Montreal to the New York metro. Arts, Culture & Community: Hotel Metropolitan in Kentucky—an African American history site—welcomed Dr. MarTeze Hammonds as its first paid executive director, a reminder of how local arts-and-history institutions keep growing. Local Arts/Entertainment Watch: Arkansas PBS is staying in the state after donations, while Crystal Bridges continues momentum with its new expansion opening this weekend. Weather Note: Magnolia’s week starts warm and mostly dry, with highs in the low-to-mid 90s.

Porch-Delivery Scam Warning: A “free phone” scheme is making the rounds: scammers leave a package that looks like it was delivered by UPS or FedEx, with your name on it, then use it as the first step in an identity-theft setup—watch for the real-world “delivery” angle and know what to do if it happens. U.S. Women’s Open Spotlight: Nelly Korda won the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera, and former Arkansas standout Gaby Lopez finished runner-up, keeping the Razorbacks’ major-championship momentum in view. Arkansas Community & Culture: Texarkana kicked off Juneteenth with “Keeping History Alive,” featuring a march plus music, a fashion show, and a Black authors showcase. Local Sports Recruiting: Arkansas football landed Kirkwood tight end Parker Keenan, while Arkansas ties to national sports continued with former Razorback Lopez’s Open run. Public Safety Notes: Arkansas State Police reported three fatal crashes across the state on Friday, underscoring ongoing road risks.

Arkansas Arts & Culture: Crystal Bridges is in expansion mode again, with a new $150 million, 100,000-square-foot addition opening this weekend and a separate “glow-up” described as a 114,000-square-foot upgrade—more space for art, community, and programming. Local Arts Spotlight: U of A School of Art faculty member Jean Schmitt opens a solo show in Kansas City, “Threshold Ecologies: Above and Below,” pairing live composting worms and wheatgrass with long-form graphite and porcelain works. Community & Civic Life: Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ “Fidelity Month” proclamation is drawing attention as Pride counterprogramming, with other states rolling out similar branding. Sports (Arkansas tie-in): UALR’s season ends after Troy sweeps the Trojans to reach the College World Series, while Arkansas baseball adds pitchers Ridge Harvey and Lance Alexander via the transfer market. Outdoor/Leisure: A local outdoors column connects everyday nature encounters—from box turtles to drones—to the bigger idea of slowing down and noticing.

College Baseball (Arkansas): Troy swept Little Rock in the NCAA super regional, winning 12-2 in Game 1 and 7-2 in Game 2 to reach the College World Series for the first time in program history; the Trojans will open Omaha against West Virginia. Local Sports Buzz: Troy’s slugger Jabe Boroff is being dubbed “Jabe Ruth” after a power surge that included two homers (one a grand slam) in the super regional. Arkansas Baseball Recruiting: The Razorbacks added pitchers Ridge Harvey (Belmont) and Lance Alexander (Johnson County CC), both set to arrive as sophomores. Arts & Culture (Arkansas): Crystal Bridges opened its major expansion, adding 114,000 square feet and new galleries and studio spaces—part of a broader effort to deepen its art “ecosystem.” Theater: Actors Theatre of Little Rock stages “In the Heights,” while TheatreSquared in Fayetteville presents “Eugene Onegin: A Bluegrass Musical.” Sports Business/Community: Walmart held its annual associates celebration in Bentonville, highlighting company growth and AI training milestones.

Arkansas Arts & Community: Columbia’s Art in the Park returns this weekend at Stephens Lake Park with more than 100 vendor stalls and a theme-driven sculpture by local artist Stephanie Farr—an endangered little blue heron built from trash collected with Missouri River Relief volunteers. Wildlife & Outdoors: The AGFC is launching an alligator landowner pilot program pairing property owners with regulated public alligator hunting permits, running through June 22. STEM for Youth: Arkansas 4-H teams from Grant County earned top-five finishes at the International SeaPerch Challenge, building and navigating underwater ROVs at the University of Maryland. Sports Spotlight: The NCAA baseball super regional picture is taking shape for Arkansas fans, with Little Rock set to face Troy again after Troy’s 12-2 Game 1 win. Summer Safety: Arkansas State University experts are urging sunscreen use and reapplication to prevent long-term skin damage and skin cancer risk.

Arts & Community: Columbia’s Art in the Park returns this weekend at Stephens Lake Park with more than 100 vendor stalls and a theme-driven sculpture by Stephanie Farr, built from trash collected with Missouri River Relief. Arts & Culture: Crystal Bridges in Bentonville is set to unveil a $150 million, 114,000-square-foot expansion this weekend, adding 29,000 square feet of new galleries plus new learning and engagement space. Local Arts Funding: Summit Utilities is accepting applications for its Summit Cares Grant Program (nonprofits in its Arkansas service territory), with awards of $5,000–$10,000 due July 10. Health & Safety (for families): Doctors warn that even 15 minutes of unprotected sun can damage skin long-term; SPF 30+ and reapplying every 30 minutes is key. Sports (Arkansas spotlight): Troy beat Little Rock 12-2 in Game 1 of the first Super Regional in program history for both teams. Arkansas in the spotlight: Arkansas PBS funding is secured to keep programs on air through 2027.

Public Media: Arkansas TV Commission voted to keep PBS programming available in the state for another year after the Arkansas TV Foundation raised $2.1 million+ to cover dues through June 30, 2027, reversing an earlier plan to cut ties. Arts & Culture: Crystal Bridges opens its massive museum expansion this weekend, adding new galleries, gathering and art-making spaces, plus a cafe and digital art studio. Sports (College Baseball): NCAA super regionals kick off Friday with Arkansas teams in the mix—Little Rock hosts Troy in a best-of-three series—while the full slate of matchups and TV times rolls out. Arts & Entertainment (Craft): Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts announces “Craft in Common” on Aug. 29, featuring artists Robyn Horn and blacksmith Elizabeth Brim. Community & Events: Benton’s fifth annual Juneteenth celebration is set for June 13 with food, music, vendors, and family activities. Local News: A man was killed and two others were injured in a late-night Little Rock shooting; a homicide investigation is ongoing.

Arts & Entertainment in Arkansas: Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff opened a new 14-story, 318-room luxury hotel, adding another big draw to the state’s entertainment scene. Local Media: Arkansas PBS is staying on the air after supporters raised $2.1 million+ and the Arkansas Television Commission voted to accept the funds and keep PBS programming available through 2027. Sports (College Basketball): Arkansas will play North Carolina in the SEC-ACC Challenge on Dec. 1 at UNC’s Dean Smith Center, per a CBS Sports report. Sports (Baseball): Arkansas lefty Ethan McElvain was named a finalist for the Stopper of the Year Award, putting a spotlight on the Razorbacks’ bullpen. Community & Culture: Jonesboro’s Kelcie Morris is set to represent Northeast Arkansas on FOX’s game show “The Floor,” after being selected as a contestant filmed in Ireland. Family Safety Online: Arkansas State Police urged parents to strengthen online safety as Internet Safety Month ramps up, with tips including AI-aware privacy and reporting suspicious activity.

Crystal Bridges Expansion: Bentonville’s Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is unveiling a major 114,000-square-foot expansion opening June 6–7, adding new pavilions, more trails, and a bigger canvas for American art. Arkansas PBS Funding: The Arkansas TV Foundation says it has secured enough money to keep PBS on the air statewide through FY27 and beyond, with a $2.15 million dues goal covered and additional multi-year commitments in place. Tech for Local Healthcare: Northwest Arkansas Pathology Associates adopted Techcyte Fusion for remote pathology signout, aiming to ease staffing shortages and improve access to specialized expertise. Community Arts Calendar: Pine Bluff Art League announced June events, including a free watercolor workshop at ARTx3 Campus and a monthly meeting open to the public. Little Rock History: A new Little Rock monument honors Arkansas’ U.S. Colored Troops, spotlighting Black soldiers’ service and their role in shaping communities after the Civil War. Belmont Stakes Preview: The 2026 Belmont Stakes heads to Saratoga with a nine-horse field, including Derby top finishers Golden Tempo and Renegade.

Local Arts & Culture: Crystal Bridges keeps expanding its story with a new museum addition, and the museum is also set to debut “Keith Haring in 3D.” Live Music: AXS is deepening support for independent venues, including Arkansas stops in the Marathon Live portfolio, while “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” returns to Walton Arts Center July 8–12 and Bryson Tiller brings “The Neo Trapsoul Tour” to Walmart AMP Oct. 16. Community & Public Media: Friends of Arkansas PBS says the Arkansas TV Foundation hit its PBS dues goal to keep programming on air next year. Sports (Arkansas): Little Rock’s baseball run is already paying off for the whole school, and Arkansas softball stars Ella McDowell and Payton Burnham are returning for junior seasons. Civic Life: Little Rock approved data center regulations after a packed public fight over noise, utilities, and transparency.

Crystal Bridges Expansion: Bentonville’s Crystal Bridges unveiled a 114,000-square-foot Safdie Architects-designed expansion ahead of its June 6-7 opening, adding two new galleries, artist studios, a digital art space, a ceramics studio, a new north entrance, and a bridge café (Quartz + Honey) with views of the grounds. Arts & Community Funding: The Arkansas TV Foundation says it has surpassed its $2 million goal to keep PBS programming statewide, with the final gift coming from the Knight Foundation and the board set to revisit affiliation plans. Live Music Tech: AXS announced new and renewed partnerships with independent venues, including a stop at Fayetteville’s George’s Majestic Lounge tied to Umphrey’s McGee’s fall dates. Local Sports Spotlight: UCA held spring commencements for about 1,200 graduates, while Benton’s Sophie Rea signed with Arkansas State University and Cal track and field sent 4 Bears to NCAA nationals. Cultural Calendar: Texarkana’s “Keeping History Alive” event highlights African dance, author showcases, and a cultural fashion showcase.

Arkansas Arts & Culture: Crystal Bridges is opening its 114,000-square-foot expansion this weekend, doubling gallery space and reshaping how visitors experience American art, with a new focus on widening the “many voices” behind the museum’s story. Local Arts Calendar: The Miller Art Museum is launching its “12x12 Project” series with Adam Fulwiler’s exhibition in June, plus a free artist talk and reception. Community & Events: Hope Downtown Network and the Southwest Arkansas Arts Council are teaming up for the Chalk the Walk Contest. Sports Spotlight (Arkansas ties): Arkansas baseball’s season ended after a loss to Kansas, while the NCAA Women’s College World Series continues to pull bigger ESPN audiences, including record-setting Arkansas vs. Nebraska viewership. Public Life: Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has declared June “Fidelity Month” instead of Pride Month, framing it around Christian values and rededication.