Walton Arts Center tunes up
Stacy Mossberger
Issue date: 2/11/09 Section: Lifestyles
When this summer arrives, frequenters of the Walton Arts Center will be able to experience performances unlike previous ones. Once the summer season kicks off at the arts center, audience members will not only have their usual line-up of high-caliber performances, but the center also will have new technology updates to better accommodate those performances.
The Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation will be granting the Walton Arts Center with $113, 970 to allow for needed audio equipment upgrades and replacements.
Some of the components that are currently being used were part of the original construction of the building about 20 years ago and do not meet the standards that are required by today's touring productions, according to a WAC press release.
Terri Trotter, the Interim President/CEO of the Walton Arts Center, said she believes this grant will help the WAC continue to deliver high-caliber productions.
"Sound is such a critical part of the patron experience when you see a performance or hear a concert," Trotter said. "So this donation really gets at the heart of what we do and allows us to deliver the best possible experience."
Brian VanAuken, the head of audio at the WAC, said the grant will go toward updating the speaker system - more specifically, it will go toward a new line array that will enhance the quality of sound and accurately translate the genre of music, dance and theater being presented.
"The changes that will be noticeable to our patrons will be an improved quality of sound with attention to overall distribution," he said. "This will help fill in areas of the room that otherwise would not have had even coverage prior to this new system."
This upgrade is something that event clients will also benefit from, VanAuken said.
"We will be able to offer a more comprehensive audio package with superior quality to our current system," he said.
The Walker Foundation has been an ongoing supporter of the WAC, Trotter said.
"They were key contributors during the capital campaign, and they continue to be very supportive," Trotter said. "We discussed this need with them, and they felt it was important enough to help us fund it."
Created in 1986, the Walker Charitable Foundation focuses on health care, education and community service.
Debbie Walker, executive director of the Walker Foundation, said the Walker family sees the WAC as an invaluable asset to the Northwest Arkansas community.
"[The] Walton Arts Center serves all ages, introducing our children to the arts and providing a wide array of entertainment," Walker said, according to the press release. "We look forward to many, many years of unsurpassed entertainment in this wonderful location."
The Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation will be granting the Walton Arts Center with $113, 970 to allow for needed audio equipment upgrades and replacements.
Some of the components that are currently being used were part of the original construction of the building about 20 years ago and do not meet the standards that are required by today's touring productions, according to a WAC press release.
Terri Trotter, the Interim President/CEO of the Walton Arts Center, said she believes this grant will help the WAC continue to deliver high-caliber productions.
"Sound is such a critical part of the patron experience when you see a performance or hear a concert," Trotter said. "So this donation really gets at the heart of what we do and allows us to deliver the best possible experience."
Brian VanAuken, the head of audio at the WAC, said the grant will go toward updating the speaker system - more specifically, it will go toward a new line array that will enhance the quality of sound and accurately translate the genre of music, dance and theater being presented.
"The changes that will be noticeable to our patrons will be an improved quality of sound with attention to overall distribution," he said. "This will help fill in areas of the room that otherwise would not have had even coverage prior to this new system."
This upgrade is something that event clients will also benefit from, VanAuken said.
"We will be able to offer a more comprehensive audio package with superior quality to our current system," he said.
The Walker Foundation has been an ongoing supporter of the WAC, Trotter said.
"They were key contributors during the capital campaign, and they continue to be very supportive," Trotter said. "We discussed this need with them, and they felt it was important enough to help us fund it."
Created in 1986, the Walker Charitable Foundation focuses on health care, education and community service.
Debbie Walker, executive director of the Walker Foundation, said the Walker family sees the WAC as an invaluable asset to the Northwest Arkansas community.
"[The] Walton Arts Center serves all ages, introducing our children to the arts and providing a wide array of entertainment," Walker said, according to the press release. "We look forward to many, many years of unsurpassed entertainment in this wonderful location."
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