Looking for Community? Find it through Volunteering!

By Quinette Rogers, box office ticketing representative and volunteer programs assistant 

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Northwest Arkansas is experiencing rapid population growth, drawing new residents from across the country thanks to its vibrant job market, quality of life and access to outdoor recreation. Moving to a new place often comes with the challenge of building social connections and finding a sense of belonging, but with the volunteer opportunities at Walton Arts Center, you can join a community of kind, theater-loving individuals. 

For those passionate about the arts, Walton Arts Center offers a welcoming space to engage with others, give back to the community and support the region’s growing cultural and arts scene. The regional performing arts center serves as both an artistic hub and a community gathering place, making it an ideal space for those looking to become more involved in their new home. Whether assisting patrons as an usher, helping with educational outreach programs or supporting community events, volunteers play a crucial role in making the arts fun and accessible to all. 

Research shows that volunteering fosters social connections and improves mental well-being. A study by the Mayo Clinic found that individuals who volunteer regularly report lower levels of stress and a greater sense of purpose. Additionally, a University of Maryland study indicated that volunteers are 24.4% more likely to develop strong community ties compared to non-volunteers. Engaging in volunteer work at a place like Walton Arts Center not only benefits the organization but also enhances personal fulfillment and a sense of belonging for those who participate. 

Volunteer Appreciation Night / 2024

Volunteering is also an opportunity to become part of something bigger. Volunteers have the chance to meet fellow arts enthusiasts, interact with performers and gain hands-on experience in event coordination and customer service. There are also appreciation events for volunteers, to celebrate all they do for the organization. Many volunteers have shared that their involvement has led to long-lasting friendships, professional networking opportunities and a deeper appreciation for our region.  

Volunteering also strengthens the entire community. By contributing time and effort, volunteers help sustain cultural programs that educate, entertain and bring people of all ages together. From first graders to retirees, the arts unify this diverse community and foster grow, creativity and engagement in Northwest Arkansas.  

Volunteers play a critical role in mission-critical programs – including our Classroom Series which welcomes thousands of local schoolchildren to our venue each year for free – bridging gaps in arts accessibility for underserved populations.  

As Arkansas continues to grow, finding ways to connect through community service is more important than ever. Walton Arts Center offers a unique space where new residents can form lasting relationships while enriching the cultural fabric of the region. Whether you’re passionate about the arts or simply looking for a way to meet new people, volunteering at Walton Arts Center is a rewarding way to become part of the Northwest Arkansas community. 

Interested individuals can click the link below to learn more! 

Five stars for our Fantastic Volunteer Crew

The reviews are in, and our volunteers are the best in Northwest Arkansas!  

Volunteers help with nearly every aspect of the work we do at Walton Arts Center, from taking your tickets and helping you find your seat to stuffing programs into this magazine to helping with administrative tasks and so much more. They provide thousands of hours of service every year and we couldn’t operate without them! In the words of our director of Facilities Tom Debari, volunteers are “the glue of this performing arts center!” 

But you don’t have to take our word for it – here are some stories shared by patrons about our volunteers going above and beyond! 

“My three-year-old son has autism and we went into the theater a few times, but it seemed to upset him so he and I spent most our time outside of the theater,” says Mary Wilson, who attended Bluey’s Big Play with her family. “The volunteers and staff were so kind to us the entire time. Someone showed us to the sensory area, someone brought him pencils and paper to draw on ... they even let him touch the big balloon balls used for the end of the show before they brought them into the theater! He may not have sat through the whole show, but he had a great time thanks to the wonderful ushers and staff. I wanted to reach out with sincere thanks for everyone who worked in the lobby that day – everyone was so kind and so understanding of my son’s needs.” 

“This volunteer at Walton Arts Center, Peggy, did the sweetest thing for me, a total stranger, last night,” says patron Bobbi Austin. “I had to step out during the first act of Mean Girls the Musical to do some over-the-phone-parenting (of which she had to hear every stern word). She reassured me that she was a mom and remembers those days and calmed me down enough to go back in and enjoy the musical. While we talked, she was crocheting something and explained that it was a dishtowel that she gives out to friends and family every year for Christmas. After the play was over, she found me in the crowd and gave me the dishtowel she had been working on during our conversation. It might be the best gift I receive this year – how kind and thoughtful!”  

If you are interested in joining this stellar volunteer team and creating great experiences for patrons, students, teachers, donors and staff, please visit waltonartscenter.org/volunteer. 

And, when you come to see a show during Volunteer Appreciation Month, you can leave your own note of appreciation! All month long in April, you can write down a special thanks or a memory for a volunteer on Post-it and put it on the displays in our lobby.  

Volunteers Building Community Beyond the Theater

There’s an age-old saying in theater: “the show must go on.” We say something similar about our volunteer team: the show can’t go on without them! Our dedicated corps of volunteers are involved in every aspect of the work at Walton Arts Center—helping in the administrative office, box office, the Friends lounge, ushering in the hall and more. The volunteers say that a major perk of volunteering at Walton Arts Center is that it is so much fun!  

Volunteering isn’t all work and no play. There is an incredible sense of community that is established inside and outside of the performance hall, and when asked what they enjoy most about being a volunteer, most will mention friendships with staff, other volunteers and patrons. The volunteer team is a wonderful place to meet other service-minded individuals.  

As a thank you for our volunteers, we dedicate the whole month of April to Volunteer Appreciation Month and host an annual volunteer appreciation night, complete with a party and awards. The fun doesn’t stop there. Just like with volunteering, social activities occur at a variety of times so that everyone can join in and share their skills. We have morning coffee chats, afternoon potlucks, and movie and trivia nights. Our volunteer social outings also take advantage of all our local community has to offer like Lights of the Ozarks, retro arcades, downtown concert nights, and nature hikes. 

To learn more or become a volunteer, please visit waltonartscenter.org/volunteer 

Fun Facts About Our Fantastic Volunteers

At Walton Arts Center, the entire month of April is Volunteer Appreciation Month. This standing ovation is well deserved – our volunteers help us every single day, by welcoming you to the theater, scanning your ticket and helping you find your seat. In addition to working these public performances, volunteers also give their time to support our school shows, special events such as Art of Wine and Masquerade Ball and assist our staff with administrative tasks throughout the year.  

Since July 2023, our volunteers have served over 14,839 hours, scanned over 72,027 tickets and stuffed over 49,000 OnStage magazines with programs for shows. 

You’ve heard it said that “the show must go on.” We say something similar about our volunteers – the show could not go on without them! With 216 total volunteers, there are many fun facts and amazing stories to share as we celebrate our entire volunteer troupe.  

These current volunteers have volunteered for over 25 years each, resulting in over 140 years between the five of them.

Of the volunteer crew,  

• Three have served over 30 years  

• Three have served 25 years  

• Five have served over 20 years  

• 16 have served 15 years  

• 50 have volunteered for five or more years  

• 125 have served five years or less 

Based on a recent survey of our volunteers – you can see there are some definite shared interests and some varied backgrounds: 

• 40 volunteers have visited five or more countries 

• 22 are in the education profession or are currently a student (other professions include healthcare, sales/marketing, public service and Armed Forces and so many more) 

• 39 said their favorite series at Walton Arts Center is the Procter and Gamble Broadway Series (four said 10x10 Arts Series was their favorite)  

• Favorite activities among volunteers include cooking, traveling, gardening, doing puzzles, sewing and painting, playing piano and singing! Several play instruments or participate in community theater, and one volunteer was a magic clown for 30 years! 

• Languages spoken include Spanish, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Russian, French, German and Filipino.  

• 74% of our volunteers live in Washington County, but also include residents of Centerton, Rogers, Bentonville, Lowell, Bella Vista, Siloam Springs, Garfield and Kingston. 

Volunteering is all about working with others for a common cause, and our volunteer corps excels there. But they’ve also done some amazing things on their own including: 

• Participated in a Guinness World Record for “singing ‘YMCA’ in a crowd” 

• Babysat Chicago Bear’s football player Mike Ditka’s four children 

• Became fluent in three languages 

• Helped start the first Big Sisters organization in Wichita, Kansas in the 1970s 

• Survived a hot air balloon accident 

• Met their wife on a bicycle ride from New Orleans to Canada 

• Sailed on the Queen Elizabeth II 

• Visited Rwanda for work twice in the years leading up to the civil war 

• Lived overseas for 27 years 

• Stepped foot on six out of seven continents 

• Drove a car in President Kennedy’s motorcade 

• Rode their bicycle across the U.S. four times 

• Worked as a merchant seaman 

• Ushered for University of Arkansas athletics for 21 years 

• And so much more!  

No matter your background or interests, you can find a fun, rewarding, inspiring place to serve here at Walton Arts Center with our volunteer team. Volunteers surveyed said that their favorite things about being a volunteer are the people they have met through volunteering and getting to see the shows.  

If you see a volunteer – thank them for their service. And if you are looking for a place to plug in – come join the team!