Museums & Libraries
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Discover Museums and Libraries in Arkansas
Arkansas is full of places that spark curiosity and celebrate creativity in all its forms. From world-class art museums to local libraries that anchor their communities, you’ll find endless ways to learn, explore and be inspired here.
Art lovers, history buffs, science fans, bookworms — Arkansas’ libraries and museums offer something for everyone who enjoys discovering something new. In Bentonville, the iconic Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art spans centuries of American artistry, surrounded by trails that seamlessly blend works of art with natural beauty. Just down the road, The Momentary, a contemporary art museum, celebrates today’s artists with bold exhibitions, performances and immersive experiences.
And in Little Rock, the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts showcases rotating exhibitions, a world-class permanent collection and vibrant performing arts programs that make it a cultural hub for the entire state.
Across the state, local stories come to life in museums that highlight the people, places and cultures that shaped Arkansas. The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center honors African American history and heritage, while the Historic Arkansas Museum invites visitors to step into frontier life with historic homes and hands-on exhibits.
For young explorers, the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock and the Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville offer interactive fun and hands-on discovery.
Little Rock is also home to the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum, a world-class educational and cultural center that offers a look at recent American history through rotating exhibits, permanent installations highlighting the presidency of William Jefferson Clinton and even a full-scale replica of the Oval Office.
There’s so much to see, explore and learn across The Natural State — look through some of the spots below to get inspired.
Experiences
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
A premiere non-profit art museum located in Bentonville and founded by Alice Walton, features a collection spanning five centuries of American art. It is renowned for its unique architecture designed by Moshe Safdie, which integrates glass-enclosed pavilions with nature, and offers free admission to its permanent galleries.
The Momentary
The Momentary brings together contemporary visual, performing, and culinary arts into a welcoming, communal space in Northwest Arkansas.
Mosaic Templars Cultural Center
The reconstructed museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, interpreting and celebrating Arkansas' African American culture and community from 1870 to present.
Museum of Discovery
Located in the Little Rock River Market District, it ignites passion for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) through hands-on exhibits for all ages, including a Guinness World Record musical Tesla coil
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
Located in Little Rock, this cultural institution in MacArthur Park features a 14,000-object permanent collection, diverse temporary exhibitions, and a renowned Windgate Art School.
Historic Arkansas Museum
This history museum in located in downtown Little Rock and is dedicated to preserving and interpreting Arkansas's frontier period, specifically the 19th century. It features restored antebellum homes, an 1850s farmstead and galleries showcasing Arkansas-made art, weaponry, and Native American history.
Arkansas Air & Military Museum
This aviation and history museum is located at Drake Field in Fayetteville in a historic 1943 white hangar. It preserves Arkansas' aviation history, featuring flying-condition aircraft, Vietnam-era helicopters, military vehicles and memorabilia ranging from early aviation to modern times.
Fort Smith Museum of History
Established in 1910, this museum is located in a historic 1906 warehouse that preserves the frontier, military, and cultural history of Fort Smith and the surrounding region. It features over 40,000 artifacts, including a 1920s soda fountain, Judge Parker exhibits, and displays on local industry.
Delta Cultural Center
This museum and educational complex is located in Helena-West Helena and is dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and presenting the history and culture of the 27-county Arkansas Delta region. Established in 1990, it features exhibits on Delta history, music (blues/gospel) and the Civil War, operating across multiple sites including a restored train depot.
Blytheville Air Force Base Exhibition
This is a permanent, curated exhibit showcasing the history of the former Strategic Air Command facility and its role in the Cold War. As part of the developing National Cold War Center, it features artifacts, personal stories, uniforms, and a, replica B-52 crewman's room to, illustrate life on the base from 1942 to 1992.
Central Arkansas Library System (CALS)
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William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum
The museum collection includes over 100,000 objects and works of art from everyone imaginable including citizens of the United States and foreign heads of state. The exhibits tell the story of President Clinton’s life and the Clinton Presidency.
