We will kick off a four-city tour of town hall meetings meant to bring together arts communities and build support for arts advocacy at 11 a.m. Friday, April 26, at the ARTSpace on Main at the ARTx3 Campus, located at 623 S. Main St. in Pine Bluff.

The arts play a vital role in our society. In fact, without the arts, much of our history, expression and culture would be virtually nonexistent.

Amy Bramlett-Turner, a teacher at the Hot Springs School District (HSSD) was awarded the inaugural Arkansas Fine Arts Teacher of the Year Award at a surprise ceremony during the district’s Spring Dance Concert: Turning Through the Pages at the Hot Springs Junior Academy. Arkansas State Rep. Les Warren joined by ARftA Board Chair Jean Lacefield, board members Mary Zunick and Sarah Burns (ex officio) announced the award and presented Bramlett-Turner a proclamation, certificate and a one thousand dollars stipend.