The 2023/2024 season marked the 22nd season of bringing world class live music and entertainment to the Arkansas River Valley. Artist Audience & Community Live! began as the 801 Concert Series, founded by locals Dick Renko and John McIntosh, in the same great space where we are today. The name was changed to Second Street Live! in 2007 when the organization purchased and moved into a larger venue on Second Street. The Second Street Live! building was subsequently purchased by the University of Arkansas Fort Smith and today operates as The Blue Lion. Since we are no longer located on Second Street, the name was changed again in 2014, this time to Artist, Audience & Community Live! to tie in directly with our mission.
Our mission is to provide excellence and diversity in the performing and visual arts for the citizens and visitors of the Arkansas River Valley. By serving artists, audience, and community we improve our quality of place by leaving a legacy of arts and culture for many generations to come.
Artists love to appear in venues where their needs have been anticipated and met. We serve Audiences by presenting an eclectic mix of musical artists recognized nationally and internationally in genres that include World Music, Jazz, Americana, Blues, Bluegrass, Folk, as well as Spoken Word, Children’s and Family programming. We serve the Community by sharing this talent beyond the stage at our theater. Our ongoing educational and outreach programs span generations – from elementary school to senior citizens.
Artist, Audience & Community Live! offers a non–smoking intimate theater atmosphere, as well as an affordable and accessible unique experience and cultural value for the community that is typically only available in larger cities.
Artist, Audience & Community Live! is a 503-C non-profit organization and does not discriminate against any individual or group of individuals on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
Mike Smets – President
Jeremy Turner – Treasurer
David Roberts – Secretary
Robert Brown
Rob Goodfellow
Grant Nally
Cindy Robertson
Dave Robertson
Lee Young
Megan Young
Production Manager
Tom Ware, Production Manager tomware1@me.com 479.719.8931
Artist, Audience & Community Live!
P.O. Box 6
Fort Smith, AR 72902