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Friends,
Great things are happening in the heart of our City. From parks to infrastructure projects to higher education, we are reshaping our Downtown and transforming Little Rock to grow and thrive for generations to come. An integral part of our downtown redevelopment is the re-imagining of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
Located in MacArthur Park -- our City's oldest public green space -- the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts is set to re-open its doors to the public in just a few weeks. I am eagerly anticipating the April 22 Grand Opening Celebration and hope you'll join me as we get our first look at this landmark cultural institution that will offer visual and performing arts experiences rivaling anywhere else.
The grand opening on Saturday, April 22, is free and open to the public. However, timed tickets for this event are required. Free tickets can be reserved starting Wednesday, March 22, at 10 a.m. on AMFA’s website.
This celebration is the culmination of a seven-year effort that kicked off in 2016 with the support of the residents of Little Rock. The City has contributed $31 million to the project already, and the City will continue its ongoing partnership with this transformational cultural hub that is a centerpiece of our creative economy.
Visitors to AMFA will experience a stunning architectural design by the world-renowned architecture practice Studio Gang with 11 acres of native landscape designed by SCAPE. Architectural Digest referred to the design effort as one to "cement Little Rock's place on the cultural map."
Guests will be able to explore everything AMFA has to offer, from new exhibitions and art installations to state-of-the-art performance spaces and studio classrooms, while enjoying music, food, and other festivities on the grounds of MacArthur Park.
Following the April 22 grand opening, AMFA will begin regular museum hours on Tuesday, May 2. The museum will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free, making this cultural cornerstone of Little Rock truly accessible to all.
AMFA will attract international visitors to this truly world-class institution, and I appreciate AMFA donors, patrons and leadership for their remarkable efforts to get us to the grand opening.
Again, please join me for the April 22 event. Reserve your free tickets here starting on Wednesday at 10 a.m.
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Emprende Graduation
Last week, we celebrated almost three dozen Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs who completed the second cohort of "Emprende," our small business development program designed to help equip business owners with the tools they need to successfully operate in our City.
Emprende is an extension of BUILD Academy, the City's small business development initiative for entrepreneurs with a curriculum focused on business essentials.
Emprende had a total of 34 graduates following the eight-week session. Many thanks go to not only the participants, but to our Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Multicultural Liaison Mariana Abarca for developing Emprende and providing valuable and insightful information to entrepreneurs in Little Rock's growing Latinx community.
I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the graduation ceremony and hear the heartfelt words of many entrepreneurs who learned about working with the City and in the City. I look forward to having these business leaders as a part of our thriving and diverse economy as we continue to improve the quality of life and place in Little Rock.
Felicitaciones to our Emprende graduates!
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Congratulations to the 34 graduates of our second Emprende small business development program!
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Ward Meetings Continue Next Week
Last week, we met with Little Rock residents from three of our wards to get their feedback on how best to invest the more than $40.5 million set aside for street and drainage infrastructure projects in last year's bond vote. We will take public input into account as we determine our funding priorities.
The money for the projects was approved by Little Rock voters last August as part of the Renew Little Rock bond package.
Last week, we visited Wards 1, 3, and 6. There are no meetings scheduled this week because of spring break at area schools. We will resume meetings on Monday, March 27, in Ward 4, That meeting will be at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1818 Reservoir Road, at 6 p.m.
Other meetings on next week's schedule are Wednesday, March 29, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 4501 Rahling Road (Ward 5) and Thursday, March 30, at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 5300 Stagecoach Road (Ward 7).
The public input sessions conclude on Wednesday, April 5, at Southwest Community Center, 6401 Baseline Road (Ward 2).
The meetings begin each night at 6 p.m. Please join us!
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The Week Ahead
- The Little Rock Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, March 21, at 6 p.m. at the Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St. All board meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock Facebook and YouTube pages. To view the agenda, click here.
- The city's Sustainability Commission meets Wednesday, March 22, at 3 p.m. at the Willie L. Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center, 3805 W. 12th St.
- Speaking of sustainability, as a reminder, today is the deadline for nominations for the Sustain The Rock awards, presented annually to individuals, businesses or organizations that work to create a more sustainable future for Little Rock. Click here to submit a nomination.
- The City Beautiful Commission hosts its March public hearing on Thursday, March 24, at 4 p.m. at the Willie L. Hinton Center.
- Starting today (March 20), a portion of West 13th Street from South Woodrow Street to Jones Street will be closed for bridge repairs. Detour routes will be marked around the construction area.
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As always, stay up to date with what's happening in the City on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram via @citylittlerock. You can also email me at mayorscott@littlerock.gov or call my office at 501.371.4744.
I appreciate you!
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