November is National Philanthropy Month—a time to honor the individuals, families, couples, corporations, small businesses and grantors who make our work possible. At Walton Arts Center, we are deeply grateful for the community supporters who help us fulfill our mission of bringing world-class performing arts to Northwest Arkansas.
Beyond the Ticket: Why Your Support Matters
As a patron of the arts, you might wonder why financial support beyond purchasing a ticket is so important. The answer is simple yet profound: your donations create lasting memories and life-changing opportunities for thousands of people in our community.
Every gift helps us provide:
Accessible Programming for All
Classroom Series – FREE tickets that introduce students to live performing arts
Broadway Bridges – $10 tickets enabling students to experience Broadway shows
10x10 Arts Series – $10 tickets making world-class performances accessible
Take A Seat – FREE tickets removing financial barriers to the arts
Through these programs alone, more than 30,000 people experience live performing arts each year.
Educational Programs That Transform Lives
SmART Residency– Free, year-long in-school programs that help teachers integrate the arts into their curriculum, supporting students' academic, social and emotional growth
Hip-Hop 101 – Free after-school programs where students collaborate, create their own music and choreography and build confidence
Diamond Awards – An opportunity for local high school musical theater students to compete regionally and potentially advance to the Jimmy Awards in New York City, with an all-expenses-paid trip to work with Broadway's best and make their Broadway debut
The Reality Behind the Curtain
These programs—and so many others like them—are made possible through the generosity of donors who understand that the true cost of bringing live performing arts to our community extends far beyond ticket sales. Ticket revenue helps cover some of the expense of presenting shows, but not all. Most shows cost us more than we can recoup at the box office alone.
This is where our community makes all the difference. Through your support, we can continue offering accessible programming, transformative educational experiences, and world-class performances. Some of our Friends choose to take their support a step further through show underwriting—gaining community-wide recognition while helping cover the costs of productions. But underwriting is about more than just filling a budget gap—it's about keeping our work grounded in the community, its needs, and its passions.
Stories from Our Underwriters
We asked some of our generous underwriters to share why they chose to support Walton Arts Center. Their words speak to the heart of what makes this work so meaningful.
Brock & Natalie McKeel | Underwriting Billy Goats Gruff
What show did you underwrite and why did you select it?
We chose a show that helps open doors for kids to experience the arts. As parents of four—Brylee, Brayden, Brooklynn and Brentley—it's important to us that they, and other children in Northwest Arkansas, have opportunities to see live performances and feel inspired by creativity. Supporting access to the arts for kids felt like the perfect fit for our family.
What excites you about supporting Walton Arts Center?
What excites us most is the chance to align giving with purpose. Everyone has their own passion—whether that's live music, comedy or theater—but for us, it's about investing in experiences that shape the next generation. Walton Arts Center gives us a platform to help make those moments possible for children across our community.
What would you say to encourage others to support Walton Arts Center?
Start with what moves you. If you love live music, theater, dance or simply the idea of making art accessible to more people, Walton Arts Center team will help you find a way to make an impact. When you connect your passion with their mission, you don't just support the arts—you help create experiences that stay with people for life.
2025 Diamond Award winners Audrey Redwine and Cardon Sullivan
Dick & Margaret Rutherford | Underwriting the Diamond Awards Ceremony
What program did you choose to underwrite this season?
We have had the pleasure of sponsoring shows at Walton Arts Center in the past, but this year we were presented with the opportunity of underwriting a new arts education-focused program—the Diamond Awards.
Tell us about your experience watching the first Diamond Awards Ceremony.
It was truly unique and inspiring to watch their performances. Their boundless talent, enthusiasm and mutual respect was so evident—a display of the special magic of theater and an example of the vast array of programs Walton Arts Center offers for our community.
Sandy Edwards | Underwriting Maebelle's Suitcase
What Classroom Series show did you underwrite and why?
I had the wonderful opportunity to underwrite Maebelle's Suitcase. Using real-life actors and puppets, the play focuses on the universal theme of letting go of possessions and valuing lasting friendships. The genius of the story is how it seamlessly moves between English and Spanish, reality and make-believe, laughter and seriousness.
You had the chance to attend a performance alongside students. What was that like?
Quite simply, it was magical. From the excitement of the kids as they anticipated the performance to the way they were captivated by the story and quickly caught on to the sight gags and silliness, it was heartwarming to experience it through their young eyes.
What would you say to encourage others to support Walton Arts Center?
Why not?! If you love the performing arts in any form, I promise the impact of sharing that love as a Friend will be soul-satisfying.
Candace Starling | Underwriting Beauty & the Beast
Kyra Belle Johnson and Fergie L. Philippe. Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Photo by Matthew Murphy. (c) Disney
What excites you about supporting Walton Arts Center as an underwriter?
I'm excited to support the performing arts because they bring energy, creativity and connection to our community. It is important to me to help talented artists share their work by attending their performances. Every performance—whether it's music, theater or dance—brings people together and reminds us how powerful the arts can be. It feels meaningful to play even a small part in keeping these experiences available to everyone of all ages.
What would you say to encourage others to support Walton Arts Center?
I'd encourage others to support because the arts help to strengthen our community and help to keep an important part of our culture alive. Even small contributions—attending a show, donating, spreading the word—help to keep creativity alive and accessible for all.
Join Us in Making a Difference
This National Philanthropy Month, we celebrate the donors who make our work possible. But more than that, we celebrate the students who discover their voices, the families who share unforgettable experiences and the community that grows stronger through the arts.
Whether you're passionate about Broadway, education, youth development or simply believe in the power of creativity, there's a way for you to make an impact at Walton Arts Center.
You can help make these programs—and many others—possible by becoming a Friend of Walton Arts Center. Friends giving levels start at just $120 annually, and as a Friend you have access to great benefits all season long.
Thank you for believing in the power of the performing arts and for investing in Northwest Arkansas.