The recent news of what is hopefully a temporary suspension of operations at The Rep elicited a fast and furious response from the community. I truly hope the campaign to “Save the Rep” succeeds. But it caused me to think about future generations of patrons for the fine arts. What are steps we as parents can take to instill in our children the desire and drive to support local arts? There are several ways to accomplish this, and many of them offer immediate benefits. Here are some examples.

1. Encourage Field Trips.

The Main Stage EdUCAtion series at UCA allows students to attend performances as school field trips.


The Main Stage EdUCAtion Series, part of UCA Public Appearances program, is for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. These performances are scheduled during the school day and feature professional, national-touring artists. Students tickets are $5 with a limited number of vouchers available for low-income students.

“For some children we serve, a Main Stage Educational performance is the first time they experience live theatre,” says Amanda Horton, director of UCA Public Appearances. “They are excited from the moment they get off the school bus until the end of the show, where they are on their feet cheering for the cast. The only way you can truly immerse yourself into theatrical arts is by experiencing it first hand.”

According to Horton, UCA provides study guides for all of the teachers who attend performances to use beforehand.

2. Purchase annual family memberships.

Prioritizing experiences over consumables has been a hot topic in parenting circles in recent years.

Teaching kids from an early age that gifts are not limited to toys or clothes that they will outgrow in a few months is a great lesson in and of itself.

The Arkansas Arts Center is a perfect example for this, and it makes a meaningful gift. Also, memberships with local organizations often afford the holder reciprocal benefits at other museums throughout the United States.

3. Purchase season tickets.

Sticking with the Arkansas Arts Center example, their children’s theater offers full or half-season tickets for six or three shows. Investing in season tickets encourages attendance and gives kids something to look forward to.

4. Attend age-appropriate productions.

“The Lion King” at the Robinson Center this year provided a great way to introduce kids to live theatre. Likewise, the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre at the University of Central Arkansas incorporates a family Shakespeare selection each season. Executive Director Mary Ruth Marotte says this is an important part of its mission: To make people’s first experience with Shakespeare non-threatening and accessible.

“Young kids are drawn in by the music and artistry, and oftentimes audience members are asked to engage with the performers in some fun way,” she says.

Marotte also believes that experiencing a live production with your children is a relationship strengthener: “Seeing a live show together inspires the perfect opportunity to really listen to your kids ... Any chance we have to facilitate dialogue with our kids and treat them like the thoughtful creatures they are is a small victory in my book.”

Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre chooses a family-friendly show each season.

5. Get your kids involved first hand.

Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre offers a youth ensemble called The Groundlings Company, whose members are featured in some of the season’s productions.

“These kids get to work with professional actors who have worked all over the country, and they are included as important and integral assets to the productions they are in,” Marote says. “They learn from these talented people a dedication to the craft and the importance of the arts to the enrichment of our lives.”

A student participates in Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre's Groundlings program.

6. Bring a touring group to your child’s school or your community.

This past year, the PTO at my kids’ school in Searcy brought the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra In-School Quartet Demos to second- and third-grade classes, with plans to do the same next year for first and second graders.

Research suggests that classical music can have numerous positive effects for children, including memory development, creativity and self-expression. But classical music and an orchestral setting intimidate some parents, so it’s less likely that they will take their kids to a live performance.

When they develop a love for fine arts from a young age, chances are greater that children will seek out and support them for a lifetime.


April Fatula is the media relations specialist for Eric Rob & Isaac. She lives in Searcy with her husband and three children and dreams alternately of being a travel writer and drinking her coffee while it's still hot.