Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts partners with local school district to inspire students through art

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts is partnering with the Little Rock School District to offer all fourth grade students in the district a trip to the museum in 2024.

Dr. Victoria Ramirez, executive director of the AMFA, said over 1,500 students will be able to experience everything the museum has to offer.

We are here to educate the next generation and for us here at the art museum it's about teaching what the arts teach," Ramirez said. "What the arts teach is critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, self-expression, [and] confidence."

Francisco Vazquez, a fourth grade LRSD student, said he enjoyed all the museum had to offer.

This is the best place I've ever been to," Vazquez exclaimed. "It has every single kind of art. You have statutes over there and you can perform [since] there's a theatre."

Student Briyah Alexander said she enjoyed doing all types of art.

People, fruits, couches, rooms, anything," Alexander said. "If you like art, follow your dream and do it."

LRSD Superintendent Dr. Jermall Wright said the museum and the district started a discussion several weeks ago.

"The decision to join hands was a no-brainer for me," Wright said. "Together we are planting seeds of curiosity, creativity, and life-long learning and reimagining LRSD to the transformative power of the arts."

Dr. I.J. Routen, elementary arts coordinator at LRSD, said the arts play an important role in a child's development.

"The arts give you everything you need in terms of acquiring 21st century skills," Routen said. "For these fourth graders, it's essential that they learn who they are, how to express what they can do, and to be able to communicate and tell others: this is me."