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The Arts

The arts are alive in Fort Smith! Live bands, symphony performances, theatrical productions and art exhibits highlight local talent and attract special guests. The Fort Smith Symphony features the oldest orchestra in the state and performs multiple concerts each year. The Fort Smith Little Theatre is an award-winning organization that casts local talent.

The University of Arkansas Fort Smith Season of Entertainment features national touring theatre and musical productions as well as the "Season on the Green," a series of free outdoor performances. Every fall, the Riverfront Blues Fest electrifies Harry E. Kelley Park and draws famous artists from across the country.

Garrison Avenue regularly welcomes musicians and other artists for live music performances and art shows at local venues downtown.

In the Greater Fort Smith Region, creativity abounds. From dance recitals to the latest Broadway musical to the latest gallery showing at the Town Club, Fort Smith boasts a full list of art options to keep you entertained.

Fort Smith Art Center
423 North 6th Street
479-784-ARTS
www.ftsartcenter.com

The Fort Smith Art Center is located in the Vaughn-Schaap house, one of the few remaining examples of Victorian Second Empire architecture in Fort Smith. It was the first home to be restored in the Belle Grove Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Every month the center showcases work by regional and nationally recognized artists and rotates a permanent collection of contemporary regional art. A variety of art classes are also offered in the fall and spring through the center’s ArtReach Program as well as summer art classes for kids. The center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Fort Smith Little Theatre
401 North 6th Street
479-783-2966
www.fslt.org

The Fort Smith Little Theatre is the oldest continuously operating community theatre in the state and has been bringing live theatre to western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma since 1947. The volunteer organization regularly treats guests to dramas, musicals and comedies – keeping Fort Smith entertained. Tickets range from $5 to $25 and some opening night performances include complimentary hors d’oeuvres and champagne prior to each performance and dessert at intermission.

Fort Smith Symphony
479-452-7575
www.fortsmithsymphony.org

Entering its 85th season, the Fort Smith Symphony is the oldest orchestra in the state of Arkansas and performs classical, pop, youth and community concerts in Fort Smith and the surrounding communities. The symphony boasts excellent performers from Arkansas and across the country and received the 2005 Arkansas Governor’s Arts Award for Arts in Education. Conducted by Music Director John Jeter, the symphony performs regularly at the Arkansas Best Performing Arts Center. Tickets range from $13 to $30 with shows for youths and adults alike.

Western Arkansas Ballet
4701 Grand Avenue
479-785-0152

The Western Arkansas Ballet is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the fine arts through quality dance education, training and performance. The Ballet’s Academy offers a wide array of classes, from creative movement to ballet to jazz, for children and adults. The Ballet’s company performs regularly throughout the year, including performances with the Fort Smith Symphony and the annual Nutcracker Ballet performed each December.

Young Actors Guild
1310 North 32nd Street
479-782-1696
www.yagonline.org

Created in the late 1950s or early 1960s, the Young Actors Guild (YAG) was a Fort Smith Junior League project designed to introduce the children of Fort Smith to the theatre. Today, YAG offers Fort Smith’s young thespians a chance in the spotlight and entertains the community with musicals and plays on a regular basis. Recently, the organization partnered with the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Academy of the Art’s program to offer acting classes for children.