Board Considers Reorganization

FAYETTEVILLE — The Walton Arts Center’s governance structure could soon be reorganized to reflect a more regional approach to the nonprofit group.

The change, discussed Tuesday, could include a nonprofit group called the Arts and Entertainment Foundation of NWA. According to the proposal, dated May 13 and emailed to board members Saturday by Peter Lane, arts center CEO, the group would be responsible for constructing and/or operating venues.

Its 20-member board would be self-appointed and would include one ex-officio member each from Fayetteville and University of Arkansas.

The center’s board has 20 members — five appointed by the University of Arkansas; five appointed by Fayetteville and five appointed at-large. A separate foundation board, created by the city and university to manage the center’s endowment, has nine members — three selected by the university; three by the city and three jointly appointed by the university chancellor and Fayetteville mayor.

According to the proposed change, the board would be comprised of city and university appointees. The group would oversee the center’s building on Dickson Street and would co-sign a new lease between the Arts and Entertainment Foundation of NWA and the city and university. Original contributions from the city and university to build the Walton Arts Center would be transferred to the new board.

The new Walton Arts Center Foundation would have three city appointees, three university appointees and six at-large members. The foundation would continue to operate and disperse endowment money and could return money used to create the endowment to the city and university.

Jeff Gearhart, a center board member and executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary for Walmart, said Tuesday changes are needed to ensure a successful fundraising campaign for center expansion and allow a regional representation on the board.

He said the proposal has been discussed with university Chancellor David Gearhart and Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan and will again be reviewed at the board’s June 13 meeting.

The restructuring would have to be approved by the City Council and university board.

City Attorney Kit Williams said Tuesday no time frame has been set for council consideration.

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