Located in Little Rock – the heart of Arkansas – AMFA is a leading arts institution in the region. Designed by renowned architecture practice Studio Gang and set to open in 2022, the new Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts is committed to providing arts experiences for all.
A New Vision
Two striking entrances will welcome you into the reimagined museum. The historic Art Deco façade of the Museum of Fine Arts and a spacious, elegant plaza will greet you at the north side of the building – coming from the Little Rock’s River Market, Creative Corridor, or East Village neighborhoods. Coming from South Main, a revitalized, inspired landscape in Little Rock’s historic MacArthur Park will set the tone for your visit as you walk among newly planted shade trees on your way to the museum.
Above the north plaza, a stunning, glass-enclosed space for community gatherings, elegant events, and quiet moments will overlook downtown Little Rock. The Harriet and Warren Stephens Galleries will feature thoughtful installations from AMFA Foundation’s 14,000-work collection alongside bold and dynamic special exhibitions.
A soaring, luminous “Blossom” lobby connects the north and south wings of the building. The Governor Winthrop Rockefeller Lecture Hall and the performing arts theater will host live theatre performances, music, film screenings, and conversations with artists and thought leaders. New studio classrooms for drawing, painting, ceramics, glass, wood, and metalsmithing in the Windgate Art School will open to a gallery space and an art lawn for outdoor classes and contemplation.
Beginning in 2022, building tours will highlight the innovative design, materials and landscaping of the new Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
Work on the new Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (previously the Arkansas Arts Center) began in 2016, and the project is being realized through a successful public/private partnership.
To the south, an outdoor dining pavilion opens the building to the park. © Studio Gang and SCAPE