Artosphere Festival celebrates art, music and nature with exciting performances, activities and events that the whole family can enjoy throughout May. You can join the Artosphere fun in Bentonville at these events.   

All month long you can enjoy Tunes on the Trail, a completely free opportunity to combine music, movement and nature. Enjoy a curated playlist featuring some of the Artosphere Festival Orchestra’s most beloved performances from the past 11 seasons as you use the trails around the Crystal Bridges Musuem of American Art and on other trails throughout Northwest Arkansas. Just scan the QR code on the signage placed at each trailhead. Click here to learn more about Tunes on the Trails.

Artosphere events kick off with First Friday, a monthly festival series located in downtown Bentonville featuring live music, food trucks, multiple family-friendly activities and local vendors. The free community event welcomes all and is produced by the non-profit Downtown Bentonville Incorporated. This month’s theme is “Outdoor Adventure,” and you’ll be able to hear Artosphere artist Thanks for Nothing perform live music on the main stage. This event is free and open to the public, no registration is required. 

Next up is the perfect event for the whole family, Scott Family Amazeum’s Priceless Nights featuring Papa Rap on Wednesday, May 8. Time to play and explore for kids and adults is priceless, and that’s what you’ll get at this free community event. Returning Artosphere artist Papa Rap will host a drop-in drum circle on the outdoor PlayScape. Indoors, there will be Artosphere-themed crafts and engagements, helping little ones make connections between nature, music and creativity. This event is free to attend. 

A returning Artosphere favorite, the Grammy®-nominated Dover Quartet will present an evening of exquisite entertainment at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, May 11. Named one of the greatest string quartets of this century by the BBC, this immaculate ensemble will perform Mozart’s String Quartet in E-Flat major, K. 428, Dmitri Shostakovich’s Quartet No. 9 in E-flat major, Op. 117 and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Quartet No. 1 in D major, Op. 11. Tickets are $15. 

To close out this year’s Artosphere Festival and to complete their last season on a high note, Artosphere Festival Orchestra will perform their signature Live from Crystal Bridges: Mozart in the Museum on Wednesday, May 22. The program for this third and final performance of AFO includes two of the orchestra’s favorite works which will bookend the orchestra’s debut performance of a Mozart piano concerto. Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor will feature pianist Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, a student of the first AFO’s piano soloist, Benedetto Lupo. The young prodigy will bring us full circle, helping celebrate great performances and incredible musical relationships. Tickets are $54.  

With over 30 events in communities across Northwest Arkansas, Artosphere has something for everyone. Check out our website for a full listing of events including yoga sessions, shows and workshops for kids, music in the outdoors and so much more.   

Tickets to these and other Artosphere performances and events can be purchased by visiting waltonartscenter.org, by calling 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am until 5 pm or in-person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am until 2 pm. 

A special thank you to our Friends of Artosphere for their additional support. Artosphere Festival is sponsored by Walmart. Premier Artosphere Festival support is provided by Kelly & Marti Sudduth. Artosphere Festival Orchestra Principal support for Maestro Corrado Rovaris and Dover Quartet is provided by Reed and Mary Ann Greenwood. Artosphere Festival Orchestra Show Underwriters are Greg & Hannah Lee and Peter B. Lane & Barbara Putman. Artosphere Festival is made possible by Tyson Foods and the generosity of all our Friends of Artosphere.