12-03-2025
Walton Family Foundation artist grant ends after 7 years
A grant program that supported NWA artists will end after the Walton Family Foundation did not renew funding.
Why it matters: Mid-America Arts Alliance's Artists 360 program provided grants to artists of different mediums and was broader in the costs it covered than similar grants, Mid-America Arts Alliance spokesperson Sarah Mote told Axios.
It wasn't tied to specific projects and could go toward expenses like studio space, Mote said.
What they're saying:"As priorities evolve, we regularly assess and refine grantmaking," Walton Family Foundation spokesperson Kathryn Heller told Axios in an emailed statement. "We deeply appreciate Mid-America Arts Alliance for leading a remarkable program that has positively impacted artists across the region."
By the numbers: The program received $2.4 million in grants since 2018, and gave money to 157 artists in Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Sebastian and Washington counties, according to the alliance.
Zoom out: Mote expressed gratitude for the program's lasting effects on the art community, noting the professional development and mentorships it helped facilitate.
Mid-America Arts Alliance will continue to grow its other programs in NWA and is always looking for funding for art programming, she said.
What's next: A showcase to celebrate the grant recipients is set for April 27 at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville.
