Constitution Weekend

Commemorate the ideals that shaped a nation with a weekend of art, conversation, and community.

What does the Constitution mean to you?

On September 16 and 17, join artists, scholars, activists, and more for two days packed with fascinating stories and creative fun.  From artmaking in the Constitution Studio to TED-style talks in the Great Hall, you’ll have the chance to learn and share unique perspectives on the Constitution’s legacy, engage with its ideals and themes, and meet the people putting them into action across Arkansas.

Kick the weekend off with Short Talks, Big Ideas, emceed by TV host and comedian Adam Conover, and enjoy an evening of six fast-paced talks and performances on the big conversations in our communities today. Then, on Saturday, come explore the galleries and studios with The Art of the Constitution. We’re filling the museum with insightful speakers, artmaking, performers, and more as we invite artists and guests alike to share what the Constitution means to them today.

Throughout the weekend, you’ll be able to dive into hands-on, creative fun inspired by the Constitution’s ideals. Stop by the studios for a special edition of Drop-in Artmaking featuring visiting artist Maria De Los Angeles, or meet local civic organizations working to support communities across Arkansas and learn how you can get involved right where you are. Enjoy performances by professional dance company Flyover Dance Collective or one of the live musical artists curated by our partner KUAF Radio, then swing by our restaurant Eleven for an afternoon pick-me-up. 

No matter what inspires you, there’s no better place to discover and share what the Constitution means today than at your museum this September.

Thanks for joining us at Constitution Weekend! Be sure to sign up for eNews to get updates about upcoming programs and events delivered straight to your inbox.

To help college students and the local community make the most out of the weekend, we’re partnering with Dynasty Limousine to provide free shuttles to and from Crystal Bridges. Shuttles will run every 30 minutes starting 2 p.m., Thursday, September 15,  and 3 p.m. Friday, September 16, connecting the University of Arkansas campus, NWACC, and Crystal Bridges. Shuttles are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and are free and open to everyone—no tickets or passes required! College students are encouraged to bring their IDs to enjoy perks such as free drinks at the coffee bar when they arrive.

Shuttle Schedule

Shuttles run every 30 minutes.

Thursday, September 15

• First shuttle: 2 p.m. (All locations)
• Last shuttle: 8 p.m. (Departing Crystal Bridges)

Friday, September 16

• First shuttle: 3 p.m. (All locations)
• Last shuttle: 10 p.m. (Departing Crystal Bridges)

Shuttle Stops

NWACC

• Burns Hall Bus Stop

U of A Campus

• Garland Center Bus Stop

Crystal Bridges

• Main Entrance

In a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a rare, original print of the US Constitution (one of only eleven known in the world) is going on view at Crystal Bridges in We the People: The Radical Notion of Democracy. In this free exhibition, the document is displayed in conversation with works of art by influential historical and contemporary artists that provide diverse American perspectives on the nation’s founding principles.

Original prints of the Declaration of Independence, the proposed Bill of Rights, and the Articles of Confederation can be viewed along with several new acquisitions. Portraits of Native American leaders, including John Mathies’s depiction of Seneca leader Red Jacket, hang beside familiar paintings of revolutionary leaders such as Alexander Hamilton by John Trumbull. Constitutional themes of equality, freedom, and justice are explored in twentieth-century works by Jacob Lawrence and Gordon Parks, among others, while living artists such as Roger Shimomura, Luis C. Garza, and Shelley Niro address past and present struggles for equality.

We welcome all to witness history and consider our present moment through the power of art with this unique exhibition.

Learn More

Flyover Dance Collective is generously funded by

and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas.