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collection, finding and in- corporating art by Native Americans, women and oth- er groups the museum world has often neglected. Crystal Bridges is hosting an exhibition called "Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power" until April 23. The exhibit features photog- raphy, sculpture and other art by dozens of black artists from the 1960s through the '80s. The museum has beefed up its collection of Native American artwork and is borrowing more from other museums. Many other museums ha- ven't yet been able to match these efforts and show how minority artists have always been part of American cul- ture and history, Kennicott said. Crystal Bridges "should be held up as an exemplar," he said. Bigelow said the facility's mission is to welcome all comers and show "the com- plexity of the American expe- rience." Beyond the artwork, Crystal Bridges is running programs like its high school residential internship for stu- dents from underrepresented groups. "We are committed to creating inclusive and mean- ingful museum experiences," Bigelow said in a written statement. "We can't tell the American story through a singular voice. Everyone's experience is enriched when multiple voices are represent- ed." Sharon Killian, a painter and board president of Fay- etteville's Art Ventures gal- lery, said Crystal Bridges' ef- forts show that art can come from anyone and everyone. Consciousness of other cul- tures makes a better commu- nity, she said. "Sometimes people aren't used to that, seeing someone besides themselves. But it's what we have to have," Kil- lian said. More broadly, Killian said the museum's work to bring students and their families to the artwork is essential. She said the programs for kids and members have included local artists and break down the notion that only wealthy collectors can buy art. Its presence has helped draw more artists to Northwest Arkansas, too, she said. "It's only been good — it's really advanced everything else," Killian said. Having masterworks a short drive away can be life-changing for anyone with even an inkling of desire to create art, Okoroafor said. She's Cherokee and grew up on a reservation in Oklaho- ma, always with that desire but without a museum to teach her. She recalled seeing Vin- cent van Gogh's works in per- son for the first time during a layover in the Netherlands a few years ago. Seeing his tools and rough ink sketches, objects that showed the hu- manity and run-of-the-mill methods of one of the most famous artists of all time, left a profound impact on her. "It could've been some- thing that I have done. I was crying, and talking about it makes me want to cry," Oko- roafor said. "You only get those kinds of experiences through galleries." Crystal Bridges exhibits often come together in coop- eration with other museums. "Soul of a Nation" involved the Tate Modern, a London museum, and Bigelow said other collaborations have in- cluded the Musee du Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The Nelson-Atkins Muse- um of Art in Kansas City is loaning some Native Amer- ican art for an exhibit later this year, said Julian Zugaza- goitia, director and CEO. Working together seems to be a trend in museum collecting, he said, and he sees Crystal Bridges as a partner rather than a competitor. "It definitely becomes a magnet for the region," he said, with art enthusiasts and other tourists stopping at his museum, Bentonville's and others one after another. Each can offer something different; Nelson-Atkins features art- work from around the world and is showing exhibits of Pablo Picasso and ancient Chinese art this month. Zugazagoitia credited Crystal Bridges' size, gravi- tas and professionalism for its ability to make a name for itself quickly. "The fact that she (Wal- ton) honored the roots of her family and placed it in that beautiful setting in Benton- ville makes it more special," he said. Walton's diving into the art collecting world with deep pockets sparked a lit- tle resentment that lingers among some museums, Ken- nicott said. Wealthy buyers can bump the price of iconic works and push some out of reach for others. "I think it still has some goodwill work ahead of it," he said. But with its partnerships and high-quality exhibitions and mission to be inclusive, "I think they're doing every- thing right in that sense." Dan Holtmeyer can be reached at dholtmeyer@nwadg.com and on Twitter @NWADanH. Museum v Continued from Page 3U NWA Democrat-Gazette File Photo/CHARLIE KAIJO Students from Holy Family Cathedral School of Tulsa, Okla., look at a piece called "Man on a Bench" at Crystal Bridges in Bentonville. Outside observers and local artists say Crystal Bridges has become an example for other museums and a way for people of any background to access the arts since it opened in late 2011. FULL LIST OF AREA MUSEUMS available at nwadg.com. Venues, old and new, provide stages for local favorites and world renown musicians to perform live in Northwest Arkansas. The Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion in Rogers re- mains a consistent presenter of industry performers across genres. The outdoor venue is the region's largest, and one of the country's top-selling amphitheaters according to Pollstar. Its upcoming 13th season will offer some of the biggest names in pop and country. Pop icon Kesha teams up with rap superstar Mackle- more on June 25. Niall Horan, the third former member of British group One Direction to release a solo album, will make his first visit to the AMP. The a cappella group Pentatonix takes the stage in July. Country superstars Chris Stapleton and Kenny Chesney make return stops, and Keith Urban makes his AMP debut. The granddaddy of Northwest Arkansas music venues, George's Majestic Lounge on Dickson Street in Fayette- ville, continues to host touring and local favorites on two stages. Dweezil Zappa, Dr. Dog and Railroad Earth will be stopping by this spring. George's turned 90 last year and is one of the oldest and longest running live music venues in the state. It has been voted one of the best college town bars in the USA, and Consequence of Sound ranked it No. 87 in its list of the 100 greatest music venues in the country. 549 412 102 264 16 62 49 FAYETTEVILLE SPRINGDALE ROGERS BENTONVILLE Map key 0-1 venue 2-3 venues 4-5 venues More than 5 venues N 49 49 112 16 62 12 264 Northwest Arkansas music venues The following map shows prevalence of venues offering live music from Fayetteville to Bentonville. 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