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The Feasibility Study - The Process and Results

In 2002, Walton Arts Center's 2002 strategic plan, The Cultural Development
Action Plan was created by a team of regional arts, culture and business leaders,
in conjunction with WAC board and staff, to move the organization forward over
the next 5-7 years. A key focus of that plan was to elevate the level of programming
presented at the Arts Center, grow our audiences, and ultimately begin planning for
a new and larger hall.

As one of the final pieces of that process, in the spring of 2007,
the Walton Arts Center Council engaged Arts Consulting Group,
a national firm (www.artsconsulting.com), to
conduct a three-phase feasibility study to investigate the possibility
of extending our services by adding additional venues.

What's happening now

Phase one of the study was completed in October 2007. You can view the Phase I summary report here.

The main findings of the report are:

1) NWA population is still growing,
2) Walton Arts Center's main theater is utilized to 95% capacity, and
3) the small size of the main hall limits growth in programming
of all kinds including concerts, Broadway shows and
performances by local arts organizations.

There is a need for new performances spaces in Northwest Arkansas.

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Therefore, the consultants have moved on to Phase Two of the feasibility study process.

In Phase II, the consultants are focusing on two areas:

1) Information gathering
2) Program visioning

The first is vital to a project of this magnitude. The consultants are
talking to key stakeholders around the region and nationwide,
gathering information about what options might be available in
our region for expanded arts performance spaces.

The second is equally important; the consultants are exploring
what new performance spaces could look like, and how
they would work. Some key questions are:

What are the potential, yet realistic, uses of new
performance space and the existing spaces? How
do they work together? How do uses differ?

What configuration of additional spaces would
best serve the region's needs? A larger hall is
a key part of the investigation, but there may
be need for another smaller venue, office
space, studio and event space as well.

Where could a new theater be located?
Where is there accessibility to the needed
land? What are the physical advantages
and disadvantages of each?

What would new facilities cost both to build
and to operate?

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Only after the 2nd phase is complete will the Walton Arts Center Board begin
discussions about building specifications, location and time frames.

Phase 3 will begin to address the issue of whether our community can and will financially support the new vision(s).

We are currently projecting that the study will be complete by fall 2008.

Once all of the information is gathered through the feasibility study process, the
board will begin analyzing and discussing the information. The information
gathered through the study process will allow conversations to begin in earnest
about the best future plans for Walton Arts Center to serve our region's needs.

Once the study is complete, there will be many opportunities for dialogue
based on the information the consultants have gathered.

Visit these other pages relating to the feasibility study and future plans of Walton Arts Center: