Arkansas enjoys a vast wealth of natural and cultural resources. Its physical beauty, musical influence, folk arts, fine arts, social and political history all make for a colorful and unique heritage worth celebrating. The Department of Arkansas Heritage sets aside the month of May each year as a time to recognize and appreciate Arkansas's cultural and natural heritage. This annual tradition got it's start in 1982 as Arkansas Heritage Week. It was expanded to include a full month of activites, including community heritage festivals, workshops, tours and more. Each year a theme is chosen for Arkansas Heritage Month that provides an opportunity to learn about some aspect of our state. This year's theme is:
There are many ways to participate in Arkansas Heritage Month. A Heritage Month event might be a nature walk, research project, pictorial display, museum exhibit, festival or concert. To make it easier for more communities and organizations to showcase their heritage,
grants are available to help develop events and programs. We also invite all communities and organizations planning Heritage Month events to list them in our annual
Heritage Month Registry. The Department of Arkansas Heritage helps promote all Heritage Month events on the web site, in the
Storyline newsletter and in Heritage Month marketing efforts.
Future Heritage Months:
2014 – Arkansas Foodways
(Historic Arkansas Museum)
- 2015 – Performing Arts (Arkansas Arts Council)
- 2016 – Old State House Museum
- 2017 – Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission
- 2018 – Delta Cultural Center