The Arkansas Arts Council is proud to welcome Brazier Watts as the agency’s new Interim Director.  

After more than 15 years of dedicated service with the Arkansas Arts Council, longtime staff member Brazier Watts is stepping into a new role as Interim Director. Watts is known for her tenacity, leadership, and deep commitment to the arts community, and has served as both Grants Administrator and Grants Manager during her tenure. Her passion for supporting artists and organizations across Arkansas, paired with her steady presence and dedication to enhancing the arts and creative economy statewide, makes her the ideal leader to guide the Arkansas Arts Council to the next chapter.  

Read her full statement below.  

It is a great pleasure to be given the opportunity to be the Interim Director of the Arkansas Arts Council. The Arts Council has had a legacy of great directors. The most recent director, Patrick Ralston, worked tirelessly to enable the work of the Arts Council to thrive. I hope to do the same.  

The creative sector accounts for about $3.8 billion in added value to our state’s overall economy, according to a 2023 (most recent) U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis report. This is outstanding, but I believe that an even greater added value is the valuable effect that the arts have on people.  

The arts improve and enhance the lives of Arkansans. The Arkansas Arts Council will strive to continue to reach people and communities by addressing the needs of artists, schools, arts organizations and other non-profit organizations across the state. We hope to continue to expand our reach to artists and organizations that have not taken advantage of the services that we offer, which include grant opportunities, arts events and workshops. Hopefully, one day at least every artist and every arts organization will have in some way garnered a connection with the Arts Council. With the help of our incredible staff and board, it is my goal as Interim Director to make sure that the Arkansas Arts Council not only continues to thrive but that the arts community thrives along with us. 

-Brazier Watts, Arkansas Arts Council Interim Director