Little Rock Couple Donates $6 Million To UA Performing Arts Center

Jim and Joyce Faulkner of Little Rock have gifted the University of Arkansas $6 million to turn the Old Field House into a performing arts center.

The state-of-the-art venue will be used “to exhibit the musical and theatrical talents of students and faculty at the University of Arkansas,” according to a university press release.

“Joyce and I have been involved with music and other arts as far back as our grade school years in Malvern and Benton,” said Jim Faulkner, a 1954 graduate of the UA. “In high school, we were both clarinet players in our bands. For my first couple of years in Fayetteville, I was in the Razorback Band, and that is a great memory for me. During our time in Little Rock, we have been involved with the Arkansas Symphony, the River City Men’s Chorus, the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, the Arkansas Arts Center and several other groups. So when it was suggested that we might help in creating a new performing arts center for the university, it seemed like a good opportunity to combine our appreciation of the arts with our love for the University of Arkansas.”

The center must be formally approved by the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees.

It will offer seating for more than 650 and allow for musical groups to perform, including the University Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Schola Cantorum, Concert Choir and Master Chorale.

Theatrical performances would also be staged at the new facility by the University Opera, Music Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre and Boars Head Summer Theatre.

The facility would also host the popular Summer Chamber Music Festival as well as provide space for public lectures.

“While our current venues have served the university well, their limited capacity is no longer sufficient,” said UA Chancellor G. David Gearhart. “When almost every institution of higher education and many high schools have performance venues offering more capabilities than these, it is obvious that improvement is needed if the university hopes to continue competing for top-flight fine arts students and faculty. In addition, we have submitted a proposal to the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission requesting financial support. We believe its investment in this project is consistent with the commission’s mission: to promote Fayetteville’s cultural, recreational and economic vibrancy. This project is a win-win for both the city and the university.”

The Old Field House was dedicated in February 1938 and was part of a building boom that occurred on campus in the 1930s, thanks to the federal Public Works Administration. The construction of a performing arts center will involve renovation of the interior space, and the building’s exterior will be preserved.