Friends, 

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and that you had an opportunity to spend quality time with family or friends during this season of gratitude. As I began to reflect on 2023 and the countless gifts for which to be grateful, I was reminded last week of the remarkable transformations of our cultural and educational institutions right here in the heart of our City.

Earlier this year, we celebrated the rebirth of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, a $160 million development in MacArthur Park that's a beacon for Little Rock and a magnet for international visitors. If you have not had the opportunity yet to visit AMFA, there's no better time than now. This magnificent art museum is free to the public -- accessible to all -- and it's one of the cornerstones of Downtown's resurgence. 

Meanwhile, another anchor institution downtown, the Museum of Discovery, is transforming to meet the needs of its patrons and visitors with the unveiling of two brand-new exhibit areas. On Nov. 21, I was excited to take part in the official grand opening and ribbon cutting for the new Science Lab gallery. Next month, the second of the new galleries, Dynamic Earth, will open. Together, the two galleries provide nearly 80 new exhibits and experiences that advance the museum's mission to energize visitors about STEM activities in a fun and interactive environment.

The Museum of Discovery's re-imagining came after devastating impact from the February 2021 winter storm when a boiler broke and caused extensive water damage. Many exhibits were destroyed and the museum was closed for about half of 2021.

Nevertheless, with a spirit of resilience, Museum of Discovery leadership and staff re-evaluated and rebuilt a museum that has consistently been named among the top children's museums in the country. With the new exhibits and new energy around the museum, that River Market anchor should approach more than 200,000 visitors next year.

Yet another great example of community enthusiasm and transformation in downtown Little Rock is the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, which this week observes its 15th anniversary at the intersection of Broadway and Historic Ninth Street with a grand-reopening celebration.

Exactly 140 years ago, Mosaic Templars of America was established at the site of the Cultural Center. At that location, we celebrate Black history and excellence in the Natural State. As Quantia "Key" Fletcher, the center's director, says, "The history of African Americans in Arkansas is connected to the very foundation of our state." African American history IS Arkansas history. The new space and "new vision" at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center features exciting and engaging programming, some important exhibitions and all-new galleries.

Mosaic Templars Cultural Center's grand reopening and celebration -- called "140/15" --  is Sunday, Dec. 3, from 1 to 5 p.m. It's free and open to the public. It will be an honor to be there, joining Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Shea Lewis, Historian John Graves and others for the ribbon cutting. Following that is the center's annual Holiday Open House. Additional events are scheduled throughout the weekend. Visit the Center's website for more details.

I'm proud of the continued creativity, innovation and imagination at Little Rock's downtown museums. Please support these institutions as Little Rock keeps growing forward.

• The Little Rock Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 4 p.m. at The Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St. The Board will consider the agenda for its next regular meeting. All board meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock Facebook and YouTube pages.
• GloWild! continues at the Little Rock Zoo starting Thursday, Nov. 30, and throughout the weekend. GloWild is in its third year at the Zoo and is quickly becoming a holiday tradiiton. This year, there are more than 40 lanterns for the Zoo's light festival. GloWild brightens the Zoo on select evenings through Jan. 7. Check the website for the full schedule and ticket details.
• The Little Rock Sustainability Commission meets Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 3 p.m. This month's meeting is at the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children's Library and Learning Center, 4800 W. 10th St.
• The Department of Community Programs' annual food drive concludes on Thursday, Nov. 30. Please be sure to donate nonperishable food items for the "Anyone Can!" Food Drive at drop-off locations across Little Rock by Thursday and help support the fight to end food insecurity in Arkansas's Capital City. Check below for food needs and drop-off locations.