Arkansas Arts Council to Launch 2027 Touring Exhibition
The annual Small Works on Paper program will showcase 40 juried artworks across nine state locations in 2027.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Fine Art
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The Arkansas Arts Council has selected 37 artists to participate in its 40th annual Small Works on Paper touring exhibition. The collection features 40 artworks that will visit nine locations throughout the state during 2027.
Why it matters
This program provides a platform for regional creators to exhibit their work, with all proceeds from sales going directly to the artists. The juried process ensures a curated look at contemporary visual arts across Arkansas.
The 40th annual program features 40 selected works measuring no larger than 18-by-24 inches. A judge reviewed 300 total submissions to select the final group.
The players
Arkansas Arts Council
This is an agency of Arkansas state government that supports the arts and cultural infrastructure.
South Arkansas Arts Center
This institution is a cultural hub based in El Dorado that hosts local and regional artistic events.
Ouachita Baptist University
This private university located in Arkadelphia is one of the venues hosting the traveling arts exhibition.
The details
The juried exhibition showcases visual arts pieces that adhere to specific size constraints to facilitate touring logistics. After the initial stint in Arkansas, the collection will travel to additional venues including Ouachita Baptist University.
Timeline
Jan. 5-29, 2027: Exhibition on view at South Arkansas Arts Center
Jan. 14, 2027: Opening reception at South Arkansas Arts Center
Industry Dynamics
The program's 40-year duration underscores its role in regional cultural preservation within the state. This initiative follows a pattern set by legacy juried showcases that prioritize local creator visibility over mass-market commercial trends.
Residents can view the curated collection at the South Arkansas Arts Center beginning in January 2027. Patrons interested in supporting the arts can purchase the displayed works, with proceeds benefiting the individual artists directly.
The takeaway
Supporting state-level arts programs helps maintain local cultural heritage and provides direct economic support to independent artists. Interested visitors should check the tour schedule regularly as the exhibition moves to different regions across the state.
What happens next
The exhibition will be on view at the South Arkansas Arts Center from Jan. 5 through Jan. 29, 2027, with an opening reception scheduled for Jan. 14, 2027.
Further reading
For more on the local arts scene, visit the Fine Art section.
More information
View the Small Works touring schedule on the official state arts website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pine Bluff Commercial.
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