This campus aims to empower our community through the arts, support the revitalization of Downtown Pine Bluff, bolster the creative economy, and bring positive attention to our city.
The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas serves as a cultural crossroad: engaging, educating, and entertaining through the arts and sciences.
Changing lives through creativity.
The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas (ASC) was founded in 1968, made a commission of the City of Pine Bluff in 1971, and accredited with the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) in 2001 and 2016. The museum offers three exhibition galleries, interactive youth activity space, and the 232-seat Catherine M. Bellamy Theater.
The ARTSpace on Main and ART WORKS on Main were opened in 2021. The ARTSpace features a retail gallery of works by regional artists, community gallery space, hands-on arts workshop studio, and an event space. ART WORKS is home to the 65-seat Adam B. Robinson Jr. Black Box Theater, as well as artist-in-residence apartments and studios.
The Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas boasts a storied heritage firmly grounded in the belief that the interconnection of arts and sciences serves as the driving force for flourishing communities. Watch the video below, showcasing our origins and the progress we've made in our mission to give Southeast Arkansas' vibrant communities access to the disciplines of the Arts and Sciences.
The ARTx3 Campus presents programming in the visual arts, performing arts, and the sciences through exhibits, performances, classes, and local partnerships. Education programming occurs on and off site and area schools are encouraged to visit for free exhibition tours and hands-on activities. Classes are offered for children, youth, and adults with scholarships available. Gallery admission, hands-on programming, and school field trips are all free—thanks to sponsors, successful grant writing, and the generosity of the local community.
The ARTSpace and ART WORKS are projects of The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas and opened in 2021. They supplement ASC’s main building and the three facilities comprise ASC’s ARTx3 campus and initiative.
RENT THE ARTSPACE ON MAIN FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT OR PHOTOSHOOT!
The facilities include a retail gallery, a black box theater with a ticket and concession bar, open gallery and event space, an outdoor event and garden area, artist apartments with studios, a workshop for classes, a costume shop, a computer lab, and more.
Beautiful examples of adaptive reuse, the buildings were constructed in the 1920s. Renovations converted the two dark commercial and industrial buildings into bright, open multifunctional spaces.
The project is generously funded by the Windgate Foundation, the Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment of the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas.
The ARTSpace and ART WORKS are also supported by the Kline Family Foundation and from donations to the Adam B. Robinson Jr. Endowment Fund.
Architecture services by AMR Architects of Little Rock and designLAB architects in Boston, and construction by East Harding Construction.
AWARDS
2022 Brick in Architecture Awards: Best in Class in Historic Renovation (March 15, 2023)
2022 Main Street Arkansas: Outstanding Adaptive Re-Use Project (March 27. 2022)
2021 Arkansas Preservation Awards: Outstanding Achievement in Adaptive Reuse – Award (Jan. 28, 2022)
2021 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Arkansas Design Awards: Merit Award (Oct. 21, 2021)
2021 American Society of Interior Design (ASID) South Central Chapter: Bronze Award for Adaptive Reuse (Sept. 25, 2021)
The ARTSpace on Main, with more than 11,000 square feet, is a multipurpose community arts and events space.
The building features the Windgate Community Gallery for area artists to show and sell work; the Kline Family Foundation Event Gallery for meetings, art exhibitions, and events; the Loft Gallery for exhibitions and events; flexible workshop spaces for classes and workshops; a woodshop and scene shop; a costume shop; a pottery studio; and the outside ART Yard for large-scale projects and events.
Pressed tin ceiling tiles downstairs, original hardwood floors upstairs, and a preserved indoor advertising mural are character-filled reminders of the building’s past life. New features include glass-paned garage doors separating the spaces, and a striking outdoor staircase.
The jewel of ART WORKS on Main is the Adam B. Robinson Jr. Black Box Theater for small, community-oriented productions and intimate concerts. The 65-seat theater is named in honor of the longtime ASC supporter, board member, and theater volunteer. The theater utilizes the latest sound and lighting equipment.
A welcoming lobby and beautiful ticket/concessions bar complement the theater space.
ART WORKS also includes five spacious apartment units for resident artists‚ including one accessible unit. Accompanying individual studios can be used by the residents or rented to local artists.
Located inside The ARTSpace on Main, the Windgate Community Gallery is a retail gallery space with artwork and items from Pine Bluff and area artists. Find your next beautiful gift while you shop locally. The gallery is open from 12–5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, and by appointment.
For more information about the gallery, call (870) 395-7009 during gallery hours or email Gallery Assistant Dorian Henry at dhenry@artx3.org.
ART WORKS also includes five spacious apartment units for resident artists‚ including one accessible unit. Accompanying individual studios can be used by the residents or rented to local artists.
