For more than twenty years, the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas has been a meaningful part of my life. I have had the privilege of supporting this organization as a volunteer and through service on both the Board of Trustees and the Endowment Board of Trustees. In April 2025, I stepped into the role of Executive Director with deep gratitude for the trust placed in me and a sincere commitment to stewarding the ARTx3 Campus with care, purpose, and vision for the future
The year 2025 marked an important season of transition and growth for ARTx3. I am especially thankful for Lindsey Collins’ thoughtful interim leadership and for the strong, collaborative partnership we have built together. Working as a unified leadership team, we focused on strengthening internal systems, supporting our staff, and ensuring that our programs and facilities continue to reflect the excellence our community deserves.
Across all three ARTx3 facilities, our programming reflected the heart of our mission—bringing people together through the arts and sciences. Youth and family education programs, summer camps, exhibitions, theater productions, and community events welcomed learners and audiences of all ages. These experiences were designed to do more than inform or entertain; they were created to spark curiosity, encourage creativity, and foster meaningful connection across generations.
Our performing arts programming was a powerful source of community pride in 2025. A standout moment was The Color Purple, presented in partnership with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. This collaboration not only elevated artistic excellence, but also demonstrated what is possible when institutions work together in service of shared educational and cultural goals. That same spirit of partnership extended beyond the stage. In celebration of UAPB’s Homecoming, ARTx3 hosted a community-wide coloring contest that invited students across the region to participate creatively in a shared moment of school pride. The response was extraordinary—888 students submitted entries—reminding us of the joy and connection that accessible arts experiences can create.
Education and outreach remained central to our work throughout the year. Youth and family programming continued to grow in reach and impact, offering hands-on, interdisciplinary experiences that connect the arts and sciences in meaningful ways. Across all areas of programming, we remained guided by a commitment to accessibility, relevance, and inclusion.
At the same time, we focused intentionally on long-term sustainability. Investments in staffing, facilities stewardship, and operational improvements strengthened our capacity to serve the community with consistency and care. These efforts support institutional excellence, reinforce strong governance, and ensure that ARTx3 remains a trusted cultural resource for years to come.
ARTx3 also continued to play an important role in shaping community pride and contributing to the revitalization of downtown Pine Bluff. Signature initiatives such as the Irene Rosenzweig Juried Exhibition—which received more than 500 entries—reflect the growing regional recognition of ARTx3 as a vibrant and welcoming cultural hub.
None of this work would be possible without the dedication of our staff or the leadership and stewardship of our Board of Trustees and Endowment Board of Trustees. I am deeply grateful to our donors, sponsors, members, volunteers, and community partners whose generosity, encouragement, and belief in our mission make this work possible.
As we look ahead, we do so with optimism and purpose. Guided by collaboration, sustainability, and a deep love for this community, the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas and the ARTx3 Campus will continue to serve as a place where creativity is nurtured, learning is celebrated, and community pride is strengthened.
With sincere appreciation,
Dr. Celeste Alexander
Executive Director
