Organizations will explore new business models adaptive to resource sharing.
Bentonville, AR---February 9, 2021---Three Northwest Arkansas arts organizations announced today preliminary steps in collaboration toward building a collective business model. From a pool of 50 nonprofit applicants, Trike Theatre, Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra, and NWA Ballet Theatre, were included in 22 awards distributed from a competitive Bridge Fund Grant through Creative Arkansas Community Hub & Exchange (CACHE) at the Northwest Arkansas Council. The Bridge Fund Grant program is supported by a grant from the Walton Family Foundation. Individually, Trike, APO, and NWABT are part of an emerging sector of small to midsize arts organizations in the region and share similar programming initiatives, audiences, and interests.
Forged in response to ongoing circumstances surrounding the pandemic, Trike, APO, and NWABT will explore opportunities to strengthen their organizations by sharing artistic, technical,and administrative resources, as well as investigate new methods supporting a sustainable and inclusive business adaptation. Funds from the grant will be used to engage a nonprofit business consultant to lead the discovery process and outline this new model.
“Collaboration is essential,” said Arkansas Philharmonic Executive Director, Jason Miller. “Creative partnerships like these bode well for the region’s cultural future and are essential to staying relevant and viable during this challenging time.”
About Trike
Trike Theatre is Northwest Arkansas’ only Professional Theatre for Young Audiences, located in Bentonville, AR, where young artists and their families SEE, LEARN and DO Theater. Trike Theatre’s mission is to Cultivate Creativity, Build Character and Strengthen Communities so that the lives of young people can be transformed by exceptional theatre experiences through our Productions, Academy and our Outreach programming . Trike Theatre proudly focuses its service on Northwest Arkansas but has a growing reach throughout the state, region, and united states. To learn more about ways to enroll, purchase tickets or donate, please visit https://triketheatre.org/
About Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra
Under the direction of Maestro Steven Byess, the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) performs large masterworks and pops concerts with a contemporary twist. Featuring world class musicians, many from Northwest Arkansas, the APO collaborates with other arts organizations with the aim of introducing art in unexpected ways. The APO reimagines classical works and performs in unconventional venues, with the intention of making art more approachable to everyone, ‘meeting people where they are’. At the core of their mission is a relentless pursuit of the unexpected, where every APO experience is delightfully unpredictable. The APO also offers robust music education programs. In addition to our youth orchestra (APYO), they partner with Carnegie Hall to offer 'Link Up' - a symphonic curriculum where students become part of the orchestra. https://arphil.org