Dear Alumni and Friends,

I have epic news to share with you today – a transformational dream is coming to fruition thanks to a visionary supporter of the arts!

After years of discussions and planning, today our department has officially become the School of Art!

The Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation made a $120 million gift in support of and to establish the school, which is the largest outright gift ever given to any art program at a U.S. university in the history of American higher education.

This gift creates the first and only school of art in the state of Arkansas, and will propel art education, design, research and creative activity in the state forward while also providing unparalleled access and opportunity to students.

Together, we are crafting a School of Art built on our foundation of academic excellence that serves as a model for inclusion and diversity. A place where students, staff, faculty and the community develop together in a school where innovation is not only encouraged, but is expected.

Today that begins, and today we mark a significant milestone in University of Arkansas’ nearly 150-year history!

On behalf of our current and future students, faculty and staff of the School of Art, we extend our most sincere and profound thanks and appreciation to the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation.

We are deeply grateful for this gift, which will transform all of our lives in a fundamental, professional and personal way, and we are so excited to share more with you as the school’s plans continue to develop.

Please join us in this celebratory news, share it and get involved!

Visit art.uark.edu to learn more and stay in touch,

Jeannie Hulen