Developing and supporting opportunities that give all Arkansans more chances to experience and celebrate the value of creative expression is one way the Rockefeller Institute honors and carries on Gov. Rockefeller’s work in Arkansas.

Our goal is to implement arts programming that complements existing efforts in the state while broadening and diversifying these efforts to reach more Arkansans in places and spaces where the impact of traditional arts programming has been limited.

Click on a program or scroll down for more information:

Art Escapes

Every spring and fall, Art Escapes offers adult artists of all skill levels a chance to retreat to Petit Jean to nurture their artistic talent by participating in a creatively intense art workshop, taught by a working artist.  Different workshops are offered each time. Space is limited and participation requires advance registration.


Arts in the Air Student Art Contest

This annual visual art contest is open to all Arkansas students – kindergarten through 12th grade. Each year’s contest has a different theme and aims to challenge young artists to create unique pieces of art that reflect or respond to that theme. Guidelines are released each fall and the regional and state-level competitions are held in the spring.


Arts in the Air Professional Art Exhibit and Sale

Each year we highlight the work of some of Arkansas’ best artists at a month-long exhibit and sale of professional artwork.  Designed to support the creativity of Arkansas’ artists and promote arts awareness and appreciation, the sale also serves as a fundraiser for other parts of our educational programming.


Envision U

Envision U is a free, one-week, residential, interdisciplinary arts camp offered each summer that aims to provide select high school students from across Arkansas the chance to experience an intense, creative environment in which personal talents can be discovered and developed.  All Arkansas students currently enrolled in 9th, 10th or 11th grades are eligible to apply.  Applications are due in the spring.


Collaboration is important to us as the programs at the Rockefeller Institute are designed to complement efforts by other organizations in the state.  We value input from the public and partnerships with other organizations and institutions.  If you have ideas for educational art programs you would like to see offered or would like to partner with us to offer a specific art program, please e-mail us.