Northwest Arkansas is full of wonderful arts organizations and experiences, however not everyone can afford to attend a performance. Now, through the Classroom Series, students and teachers in our region can attend a matinee show at Walton Arts Center for free thanks to the generous support of our sponsors.  

“This is what most commonly think of as our field trip program,” said Sallie Zazal, director of learning and engagement. “It includes performances for school groups to attend during the school day. We have a little bit of everything, from dance to music to plays, and the programs offered are for learners of all ages and abilities.” Variety and accessibility are key to the Classroom Series because Walton Arts Center’s goal is to build a community where every child participates in high-quality arts experiences both in and out of school. 

 “Teachers and students love Walton Arts Center,” Zazal said. “We have one of the largest classroom series programs in the nation. Many performing arts centers our size offer just a few titles each season for student groups. Because access to the arts for all students has been a goal of our organization from the start, we now serve around 28,000 students from nearly 90 school annually just as a part of the Classroom Series.”  

Arts field trips are about more than seeing a performance, an exhibition or leaving campus, they are a chance to participate in hands-on, experiential learning. When students have the opportunity to learn through the lens of the arts, they develop critical thinking, collaboration and creative skills necessary to succeed in our rapidly changing world. Further, theatrical performances give children the opportunity to understand the experiences of people and characters from different places and time periods – without leaving their hometown. Through field trips, students build social capital and community connections by exploring institutions like ours.  

Students this year will get to experience dance, theater, Japanese drumming, a cappella, ukulele ensembles, fresh takes on classic fables and more, expanding their access to and bolstering their education through arts experiences. For a listing of these season’s Classroom Series shows, please visit our website, linked below.

If you are a teacher, school administrator or parent and would like more information about Classroom Series performances and how you can participate next year, email schools@waltonartscenter.org.  

Keep the learning experience going even after the performance has ended:

• Ask children questions about the show – who was their favorite character? What did they notice about the elements of the performance such as sets, music, lighting, props and costumes? These discussions not only serve as a bonding experience, but also help to hone your child’s critical thinking skills.  

Many children express interest in performing themselves after attending the theater. Did your children catch the theater bug? Help them put on a play:

• The theater-making process is an excellent learning experience, combining writing (the script), critical thinking (memorizing lines), imaginative thinking (directing the show), art (making sets, costumes and props) and social emotional learning (standing up and performing in front of others). Use a well-loved book as your “script” or write an original story. Bonus if you make a recording of their performance to enjoy!