New stages, high praise and more of the news worth noting in local nonprofits.
Curtain Call
After suffering a recent heart attack, Vincent Insalaco, co-founder and producing artistic director of the Argenta Contemporary Theatre, has announced his retirement after 15 years.
“Founding and growing ACT has been one of the great pleasures and accomplishments of my life, and I am hopeful that ACT will continue to flourish after my retirement,” Insalaco says.
Likewise, Justin Pike has stepped down from his role as artistic director of The Studio Theatre after a decade, which is still on the hunt for a new home after closing its downtown space.
“Our Seventh Street location and my tenure didn’t have to last forever, it simply had to last long enough for us to make an impact and move the artistic needle forward for our community,” Pike says.
Gifts, Grants & High Praise
Kathy Wilson Roberts made a $1.5 million donation in her father’s memory to establish the Kenneth Pat Wilson Endowment for Innovative Business Programs in the UA Little Rock School of Business.
The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra officially concluded its Crescendo Campaign, raising $13.35 million to fund the ASO Stella Boyle Smith Music Center and adding $1.6 million to the endowment supporting annual operations.
Stephens Inc. announced an annual pledge of $250,000 to the Red Cross Disaster Responder Program.
Out of 300 applicants, 36 high school seniors were selected for Thea Foundation‘s art scholarship competition totaling $219,000.
The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation awarded $50,000 to Little Rock Public Radio to encourage journalistic independence and collaboration.
The UA-PTC Foundation received a $5,000 gift from The Buttered Biscuit (the second such donation) to create a scholarship for Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute students.
AR Kids Read will honor Dr. Chad Rodgers with its 2025 Community Leader Award at its Spellebration event in April.
Big Moves
Chris Wyman is the new executive director of Potluck Food Rescue.
Janet Marshall is now officially the chief development officer of the Baptist Health Foundation after serving as interim CDO for more than three months.
Dr. Brian Bell was named president and CEO of Arkansas Hospice.
Girl Scouts – Diamonds named Mary Grace Herrington its new president and CEO.
Andrea Moon is the new director of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts’ Windgate Art School.
Grace Zafasi is the new director of development for Little Rock Public Radio.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas & North Louisiana added five members to its 2025 board of directors: David Avery, Mike Flagg, Derek Pierce, Kelly Straessle and Kimberly Trell.
CareLink added six members to its board of directors: Curtis Carter, Marion King, RJ Martino, Anne Pace, Robert “Bo” Ryall and Kendall Thornton.
The Ozark Mission Project added three to its board of directors: Matt Buchanan, Diana McDaniel and Joey Msall.
Compassionately Connected for Veterans appointed nine new board members, including Little Rock residents Tracy Bentley, Meredith Hale and Terrence Pippins.