Crystal Bridges to Partner With U of A to Host College Day Sept. 8 With Free Food, Music and Art

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Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is partnering with the U of A to host a College Day at the museum to welcome college students to the area and provide an opportunity for students to enjoy art, music, nature and food — all free of charge.

The event will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8, on the North Lawn at Crystal Bridges. All U of A and additional region-based college students are welcome to attend.

Tickets are free, but must be reserved online.

While the museum always offers free general admission to its permanent collection, with their free College Day ticket, participating students will additionally have access to a full lineup of live music, a variety of DIY make-and-take art activities, and a voucher for a free meal at one of the event's food trucks.

Students attending the event will also receive free tickets to the museum's two special summer exhibitions: Nature's Nation and Color Field.

Live music will be performed by the following groups and artists:

• Vanimal Kingdom, a local group that brings the party to life with funky grooves.
• Sean Fresh, an R&B singer-songwriter out of Little Rock.
• Honey Collective, a groove-based band that blends jazz and hip-hop and was created by University of Arkansas students.
• UA Opera Theater, a premier performing ensemble at the U of A's Department of Music primarily comprised of graduate and undergraduate voice majors. 

"We are thrilled to partner with the University of Arkansas to show students some of the exciting cultural opportunities available in the area," said Sara Segerlin, head of adult programs at Crystal Bridges. "We're also looking forward to seeing the UA Opera Theater perform at the museum, which will be a fun way to showcase the talent of the university in a community setting."

Todd Shields, dean of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, agreed.

"This is such a fantastic opportunity to connect with one of our community and university's greatest resources and partners," Shields said. "This will be an excellent time to explore Crystal Bridges, meet new people and have fun while getting involved in the thriving arts community of Northwest Arkansas."

College Day is sponsored by Stephen and Claudia Strange.

About Crystal Bridges: The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Since opening in 2011, the museum has welcomed 4.3 million visitors, with no cost for admission. The collection spans five centuries of American masterworks from colonial to current day and is enhanced by temporary exhibitions. The museum is nestled on 120 acres of Ozark landscape and was designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie. A rare Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house was preserved and relocated to the museum grounds in 2015. Crystal Bridges offers public programs including lectures, performances, classes, and teacher development opportunities. Some 260,000 school children have participated in the Willard and Pat Walker School Visit program, which provides educational experiences for school groups at no cost to the schools. Additional museum amenities include a restaurant, gift store, library, and 4 miles of art and walking trails. For more information, visit CrystalBridges.org. The museum is located at 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712.