Category Archives: Lecture

Happy 50th Birthday to the National Endowment for the Arts & National Endowment for the Humanities

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NEANEH50On September 29, 1965, President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed into law the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 at a White House Rose Garden ceremony, attended by scholars, artists, educators, political leaders, and other luminaries.

The law created the National Endowment for the Humanities as an independent federal agency, the first grand public investment in American culture. It identified the need for a national cultural agency that would preserve America’s rich history and cultural heritage, and encourage and support scholarship and innovation in history, archeology, philosophy, literature, and other humanities disciplines.

On this occasion, President Johnson said: “Art is a nation’s most precious heritage. For it is in our works of art that we reveal ourselves, and to others, the inner vision which guides us as a nation. And where there is no vision, the people perish.”

This new law was the fruit of two presidents, several senators and representatives, and four previous pieces of legislation. Separate bills had been introduced, in previous years, into the House by Representative Frank Thompson (D-NJ), and into the Senate by Senators Hubert Humphrey (D-MN) and Jacob Javits (R-NY). Senator Claiborne Pell (D-RI) had overseen hearings on some of this preliminary legislation, beginning in October 1963, before the death of President John F. Kennedy.

Over the years, the NEA and NEH have awarded millions of dollars to Little Rock based institutions, organizations and individuals through direct appropriations.  They have also impacted Little Rock cultural life through funding of the Mid-America Arts Alliance, Arkansas Arts Council, Department of Arkansas Heritage, Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism, and U.S. Conference of Mayors among others. These groups have either re-granted the dollars to Little Rock entities or undertaken projects which have directly impacted and improved life in Little Rock.

 

Sanderia Faye reading from MOURNER’S BENCH tonight

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The UALR Institute on Race and Ethnicity and UALR Public Radio tonight are sponsoring a reading by Arkansas native Sanderia Faye  at 7:00 p.m. at the UALR Ottenheimer Library.

Originally from Gould, Faye will read from her debut novel, Mourner’s Bench, and take questions from the audience. A book signing will follow and copies of Mourner’s Bench will be available for purchase at the event.

Parking is available in Lot 4, just north of the Ottenheimer Library, or in the lot to the east of the parking deck on the east side of the UALR campus on 32nd street.

Related Event:

Mourner’s Bench is also the book we are discussing during KUAR’s Readers Review on October 7.

In partnership with the Central Arkansas Library System, KUAR introduces community conversations for book lovers, called KUAR’s Readers Review.

Human Rights along U.S./Mexico border topic of Clinton School address today at noon

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UACSIn the summer of 2014, the headlines were dominated with stories about human rights issues at the border between the US and Mexico.  While the headlines may have faded, the issue has not.  Today at noon at the Clinton School, Chelsea Halstead will discuss “The Human Rights Crisis on the U.S. Mexico Border.”

Chelsea Halstead is a program manager for the Colibrí Center for Human Rights where she leads the Colibrí’s Family Advocacy program, speaking with families to collect information on missing persons and making case matches by comparing reports to forensic data.

The Colibrí Center is a family advocacy nonprofit based in Tucson, Arizona that works with families, forensic scientists and humanitarians to end migrant death on the U.S.-Mexico border.  The three major avenues for fulfilling their mission are: family advocacy, arts & storytelling, policy reform.

Halstead is an Arizona native. She grew up in Flagstaff and moved to Tucson in 2008 to earn her B.A. in Geography from the University of Arizona. After studying and working for a year in Guatemala, Chelsea returned to complete her senior honors thesis which explored humanitarian border activism and migrant death. After graduating in 2012, she worked as a Research Assistant for a Department of Justice-funded study investigating the practices, protocols, and procedures associated with the handling of migrant remains along the border.

In 2013, she was selected for a Humanity in Action Fellowship in Berlin. Soon after completing her fellowship, Chelsea joined the Colibrí Center for Human Rights, first as a volunteer and later as Program Manager. She currently heads Colibrí’s Family Advocacy program, speaking with families to collect information on missing persons and making case matches by comparing reports to forensic data. Chelsea also works to build relationships between Colibrí and various partners across the region.

Colibrí’s Executive Director, Robin Reineke and Forensic Anthropologist, Dr. Bruce Anderson, first began this work in 2006 as the Missing Migrant Project at the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner. In 2013, Robin Reineke and William Masson co-founded the Colibrí Center for Human Rights to expand the Missing Migrant Project and create a more comprehensive effort for the entire U.S.-Mexico border.

The program will begin at 12noon at the Clinton School of Public Service.

Day 3 of ACANSA offers A Little Poetry and a lot of music, theatre and art

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Acansa day 3The third day of this year’s ACANSA Arts Festival offers theatre, music and art!  Four different stages offer opportunities to experience unique performances.

A Little Poetry: The Art of Alonzo Ford – 5:30PM reception (Arkansas Arts Center)

The exhibition will be on view September 15 to October 25, 2015 in the Arkansas Arts Center’s Sam Strauss, Jr., Gallery.

Alonzo Ford, grew up on farm in the Southland Community near Lexa, Arkansas. His figurative drawings focus on his memories of a life lived on his family farm. Ford enjoys creating with color and drawing landscapes that depict farm life and old buildings and active portraits. Stark figures engage in the daily activities Ford recalls from childhood leaving one with a sense of the activity, simplicity, and intimacy of mid-century rural life in Arkansas.

The Exchange – 7pm (Albert Pike Memorial Temple) $20 (general admission); $50 (A Capella Lounge); $10 students/military

In just the past year, The Exchange, debuted their original EP, toured with the Backstreet Boys, and had a featured spot on NBC&The Sing Off.; The bands explosive energy is ignited by their diversity in music styles ranging from rock to hip-hop to opera. This amazing A Capella group blends different styles and instrumentation, but its sound will always be defined;by the raw, soulful power of the human voice.

The A Capella Lounge – “Meet the Artists” reception after the performance.

 

“The Dork Knight” – 9pm (Arkansas Rep Black Box, 550 Main) $20 (general admission)

Jason O’Connell brings an iconic interpretation of his relationship with Batman through the years. His impersonations are so lifelike that if you close your eyes, you would swear you were in the room with Christian Bale or Jack Nicholson. O’Connell keeps audiences in rapt attention, at times laughing hysterically or mesmerized in complete silence and he takes you with him on this journey with Batman.

“Blood at the Root” – 8pm (Argenta Community Theatre) $30 (general admission) $15 (students/military)

Based on a true story of the Jena Six, Blood at the Root, written by Dominique Morriseau, is a play that touches on many social issues. Directed by Steve Broadnax, head of the Pennsylvania State theatre program, this play has received international acclaim on its tours through South Africa, Scotland and Australia. It is an exciting piece of work that breaks traditional convention. It speaks to where America is right now racially, economically, and socially. It is also a fun show with musicality, and an emphasis on movement. The inclusion of many different perspectives makes for an exciting, thought provoking performance. Please note: This performance contains strong language.

 

The Bo-Keys – 10pm (South on Main) $20 (general admission)

The Bo-Keys are a soul/jazz band from Memphis, formed as an homage to the city’s rich musical tradition. They keep the sound of classic Memphis R&B vital and contemporary.Featuring legendary singer Percy Wiggins and led by Grammy nominated producer-bassist Scott Bomar, group also includes historic session musicians from Stax and Hi Records studio bands

Earlier in the day – at noon, there is a Lunch and Learn at the Argenta Branch of the Laman Library.  It will feature a discussion of Arkansas art pottery by David E. Gifford. This program is free.

The Angela Davis Johnson Exhibit will be on display at the Argenta Gallery all day today (and through October 12). It has free admission as well. A reception will take place this evening.

1,000th Clinton School Speaker tonight with Chelsea Clinton

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chelseaIn “It’s Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired & Get Going!,” Chelsea Clinton tackles the biggest challenges facing us today. She combines facts, charts, photographs and stories to give readers a deep understanding of the world around them and how anyone can make a difference. With stories about children and teens who have made real changes big and small, this book inspires readers of all ages to do their part to make our world a better place.

One of Clinton’s favorite childhood books was “50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth;” as an elementary school student in Little Rock, AR, she helped start a paper-recycling program at her school; as a teenager in Washington, D.C., she led her school’s service club; and as a student at Stanford University, she volunteered as a reading and writing tutor and at the Children’s Hospital.

Today, she is Vice Chair of the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation where she helps lead the work of the Foundation across its various initiatives, with a particular focus on work related to health, girls and women, creating service opportunities, and empowering the next generation of leaders. Chelsea holds a BA from Stanford University, an MPH from Columbia University, and an MPhil and doctorate degree in international relations from Oxford University.

The lecture featuring Chelsea Clinton will be the 1,000th public program for the Clinton School of Public Service. On September 18, 2004, the Clinton School welcomed their first public program speaker, Senator Bob Dole.

This event will be at the Wally Allen Ballroom at the Statehouse Convention Center at 6pm.

Day One of ACANSA offers Lunch & Learn, Evening Events

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acansaThe second annual ACANSA Arts Festival officially gets underway today!

The ACANSA Arts Festival officially opens is 2015 festival with a performance by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in the Creative Corridor of Little Rock’s Main Street between Capitol and 6th Streets. First Lady of Arkansas Susan Hutchinson will host and welcome guests to enjoy this fun family friendly atmosphere. Additional entertainment will be provided by ReCreation Studios. This event is free to the public

Come around the corner to the Festival After Party at McLeod Fine Art. Entertainment by the Hi-Balls
The pARTy continues at 7:30pm.  Tickets for this are $25 general admission.

Earlier in the day – at noon, there is a Lunch and Learn at the THEA Foundation.  It will feature Bob Snider, who will be giving a talk and a painting demonstration. This program is free.

The Angela Davis Johnson Exhibit will be on display at the Argenta Gallery all day today (and through October 12). It has free admission as well.

 

Architecture & Design Network kicks off 2015/16 lecture series tonight with Alex Gilliam

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Photo by Mark Stehle

Photo by Mark Stehle

Alex Gilliam, long committed to K-12 design education, is scheduled to be the first speaker in  Architecture and Design Network’s 15/16 lecture series, the non-profit’s 12th season of talks by well regarded design professionals. Gilliam, who earned an undergraduate and a graduate degree in architecture, will share his ideas about  the value of hands-on experience and its role in design education. 

Gilliam will speak tonight at 6pm at the Arkansas Arts Center. A reception at 5:30 will precede the remarks.
As founder of the Public Workshop, an organization that works with young people to encourage their participation in the design or redesign – as the case may be – of facets of their communities, Gilliam refers to himself as the “cheerleader of possibility”. In their roles as  agents of change, his young  charges hone skills that enable them to repurpose abandoned spaces and bring change to places that figure in their everyday lives –  schools, playgrounds, bus stops, parks and more.
 
With the help of their mentor, participants learn to set goals for themselves and develop the competencies needed to make their surrounds more accommodating to their needs and those of others. Each hands-on effort takes place in full public view with the result that students get feedback from friends and neighbors, some of whom are likely to get involved with the project. “Small groups of motivated people attract the interest and support of others”, notes Gilliam. 
 
Since the Workshop’s founding,  Gilliam has worked with the Rural Studio, the Hester Street Collaborative, Cooper Hewitt Museum, the University of Pennsylvania, the National Building Museum, the Chicago Architectural Foundation and numerous other organizations and institutions across the country. 
 
Architecture and Design Network lectures and receptions are free an open to the public. No reservations are needed. For additional information, contact ardenetwork@mac.com.
Supporters of the non-profilt Architecture and Design  Network (ADN) include the Arkansas Arts Center, the Fay Jones School of Architecture, the Central Section of the Arkansas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and friends in the community.