Build & Rebuild
This month, Beyond the Divide (a collaboration between the Downtown Little Rock Partnership, studioMAIN and others) will pop up on West Ninth Street, bringing new life to the once-bustling area. Plans include a Black business marketplace inside transformed shipping containers and a street mural in front of the iconic Dreamland Ballroom. Follow the project on Instagram for updates.
The Our House Resale Store will soon open a new retail shop and donation center at 825 N. University Ave. in the former Knowledge Tree location. The Markham Street store will close, but the North Little Rock location will remain open.
After heavy ice and snowfall caused its greenhouse to collapse, the community rallied around Access Group. Its gardening program quickly surpassed its fundraising goal to rebuild and will soon provide vocational skills, confidence and independence once again to children and young adults with special needs.
Gifts & Grants
The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts received a significant donation of 119 artworks from renowned gallerist and collector Martin Muller. The collection includes works by Oleksandr Bohomazov, Erwin Blumenfeld, Mel Ramos and many more. AMFA will host an exclusive conversation with Muller for donors on April 22.
Arkansas Children’s received a $1.5 million donation from Katie and Miles Stephens to aid its largest-ever expansion project, the first phase of which is slated to begin next month.
UAMS received a $200,000 gift from Tommy and Kathryn May elevating the J. Thomas May Endowed Distinguished Chair in support of research and treatment of ALS.
High Praise
At the 38th annual Arkansas Business of the Year Awards, the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts took home the title of Nonprofit Organization of the Year, while Arkansas Children’s received the Olivia Farrell Impact Award.
The Arkansas Area Council of Boys & Girls Clubs inducted its inaugural Arkansas Boys & Girls Clubs Hall of Fame class including locals James Frank “Jim” Brown and James E. “Jim” Wetherington.
New Launches
A new organization titled Friends of Arkansas PBS has begun efforts to keep programming on airwaves. After facing a public outcry when Arkansas became the first state to cut ties with PBS, the network has since voted to pause the disaffiliation.
Local leaders, faith organizations and state officials created the new 10:33 Initiative utilizing Restore Hope’s HopeHub platform to offer a coordinated network of resources for families in crisis.
The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance is teaming up with Baptist Health Community Outreach for the Arkansas Fruit & Vegetable Prescription Program, providing free produce for residents with diet-related health conditions.
The Arkansas Imagination Library launched a new sponsorship program to expand early literacy with Subaru of Little Rock committing more than $65,300.
Big Moves
Cade Bethea has taken over public relations in his role as managing director of the Arkansas Cinema Society.
Goodness Village added Tim Exell to its board of directors.
Forward Arkansas announced Ben Kutylo will step down from his role as president and CEO later this year and will remain a senior advisor.
After serving in an interim capacity since last summer, Jules Anderson is now officially the executive director of the Ozark Mission Project.