Clinton Presidential Center Presents “Salute to the Arts and Humanities”

Join us Thursday, October 3 at noon CT when the Clinton Presidential Center Presents "Salute to the Arts and Humanities,” an engaging conversation with leaders from Central Arkansas arts organizations.

In 1994, President Bill Clinton established the Committee on the Arts and Humanities. The Committee reports on the status of American cultural institutions and proposes ways to bridge communities across the country through art and culture.

Art brings us together to collectively experience feeling and emotion, creating new bonds between people from different backgrounds or life experiences. Panelists will explore these themes and discuss how their organizations are building community and connection by showcasing diverse stories and performances.

In 2004, President Bill Clinton welcomed the world into the Clinton Presidential Center for the first time. In the 20 years since then, more than five million people have visited the Clinton Center to explore President Clinton’s legacy, participate in educational programming, and experience our diverse array of public programs. Throughout 2024, we’re celebrating 20 years of milestones and memories and highlighting Clinton Center programs and the lasting impact of the Clinton administration.

ASL interpretation is available during our events.

Clinton Presidential Center Presents is a partnership between the Clinton Foundation, Clinton School of Public Service at the University of Arkansas, and Clinton Presidential Library.

Panelists will include:

Michael Fothergill, executive and artistic director of Ballet Arkansas

Leron McAdoo, distinguished educator, artist, author, award-winning poet, youth advocate, co-founder of Backyard Enterprises, and visionary behind The Mctivated Motivational Brand

Will Trice, executive director of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre

About the panelists

Michael’s Fothergill journey in the world of dance began at the Betty Hill Dance Studios in Des Moines, Iowa. His training continued under the guidance of Robert Thomas and Miyoko Kato from the Harkness and Joffrey Ballets at the Robert Thomas Dancenter, and later on full scholarship at the Milwaukee Ballet School, Boston Ballet School, and the School of American Ballet.

Since his appointment as executive and artistic director of Ballet Arkansas in 2017, Ballet Arkansas has evolved into a dynamic institution, curating an eclectic repertoire that includes the classics, masterworks of American Dance, and original works by the world’s most daring dancemakers. In fewer than 5 years, Michael transformed the organization’s vision and programming, eliminated its debt, and doubled its gross operating budget to exceed $1.3M. Today, the organization is ranked among the Top 100 Ballet Companies in America and has been twice named Best Performing Arts Organization in Arkansas by the Arkansas Times.

Leron McAdoo is a nationally recognized spoken word poet, sought-out personality, exhibiting professional artist, motivational speaker, actor, author, and seasoned educator. He is a founding member of the national award-winning spoken word troupe called Foreign Tongues, co-founder of Backyard Enterprises, and a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Leron uses the culture of Hip Hop as a vehicle to educate both young and old in the fields of music, writing, and art. He has written articles for various publications, authored a book, “Motivating Black Boys & Girls,” and released independent albums.

Will Trice is the executive director of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, where he oversees the theatre’s strategic finance, administrative, marketing, and fundraising functions. Prior to his appointment there in 2019, he served as a producer for nearly 30 productions on Broadway, the West End, and National Tours. He is a three-time Tony Award Winner for All The Way starring Bryan Cranston, the Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf; and The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess.

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