BAM’s education program serves the region by providing workshops, lectures, tours, and informational resources to our audience. Our priority is to provide positive artistic experiences to a wide range of participants who may not otherwise have access. Our workshops demonstrate the many artistic principles, materials, and processes available for open-ended creative expression, making art accessible to those with varying skill sets. Inside the museum, our goal is to provide the educational materials and interactive activities necessary to foster art appreciation and interpretation within our culturally expanding community. We realize the importance of our role as the only art museum in Northeast Arkansas and want to ensure inhabitants of our region have the opportunity for meaningful cultural experiences without having to travel.

BAM’s educational outreach is unique in providing an extensive program outside museum walls and within the community we serve. These services include visiting lectures and workshops. Workshops are focused on the cultivation of creative freedom through open-ended projects, breaking free from the often rigid structure of art instruction. Lessons focus on the teaching of art fundamentals as well as the exploration of numerous artistic mediums, giving participants access to as many avenues of artistic expression as possible. Art interpretation is taught alongside art creation to ensure our community has the tools needed to both create work of their own as well as appreciate the work of others.

In addition to the programming we provide outside the museum, many events and workshops are hosted within BAM and BAM Studio. Each exhibition held at BAM has a reception which is open to the public, providing refreshments and prompting engaging social interactions. Since we are a contemporary art museum, the artists shown in our exhibitions often visit, allowing us to host artist talks for our audience. Additional exhibition information and activities are often provided within our educational gallery space. For the duration of each show, BAM also provides tours during open hours and by appointment. Tours are discussion-guided and encourage a heightened level of engagement with the artwork. Workshops for each exhibition are hosted in BAM Studio, a creative space in which participants use artwork within the museum as inspiration for a creation of their own.

In addition to the exhibition-specific events, BAM hosts various other arts-related events monthly. Common events include:

Meditation at the Museum: Presenter Christopher Earnhart, faculty developer and trainer in the A-State Faculty Center provides a guided meditation practice and discusses how it pertains to creativity and observing art in the museum.

Dance at BAM: Dance at BAM involves a partnership with the A-State Department of Theatre and instructor of dance, Brianna Larson. For each event, a group of performers come together to present a dance in response to the exhibition on view.

Readings: In collaboration with the A-State Department of English and Philosophy, BAM hosts readings featuring guest speakers. Events include poetry nights, faculty readings, and excerpt readings by novelists.

Improv Night: Improv Night is the result of a collaboration with AState Improv. The team uses artwork on view as inspiration for their performances, creating a dynamic event filled with surprises.

All events mentioned are admission free and open to the public. Call to schedule tour or ask about an event: (870) 972-3765