AMMPLIFY arts and music festival coming to Mount Sequoyah this spring

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A new arts and music festival is coming to Fayetteville this spring, and organizers are looking for folks who’d like to learn how to help put on big events to get involved in its creation.

The festival, created through a new program paid for by the Walmart Foundation and administered by Mount Sequoyah Center, will connect emerging artists, talent managers, and performers with mentors in related fields to create a multi-dimensional festival on Mount Sequoyah in the spring, and other events throughout the year.

Local promoter Roger Barrett of On the Map Shows will spearhead the festival, which will be called AMMPLIFY (Arts & Music Mentorship Program).

“Our foremost goal with AMMPLIFY is to show emerging artists that they belong in Fayetteville,” Barrett said in a press release issued this week. “We want to provide DIY organizers an all-ages venue for their work, and help them find connections across NWA.”

Mentors in the new program include local artists Chad Maupin in graphic design, Linda Lopez in visual arts, Preston Poindexter in a/v technology, Bryan Hembree in music management, Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster in music performance, and Amber Imrie in arts management.

The mentors will lead workshops with mentees leading up to the event, and mentees will take on responsibilities to help plan the festival and subsequent events as time goes on.

“We are excited to offer a creative “third space” for emerging artists, talent managers, and performers in the region who have not had opportunities to connect with mentors in their creative field,” said Jessica DeBari, Director of Creative Spaces at Mount Sequoyah. “We have multiple versatile venues that will provide a fantastic backdrop for all of the exciting experiences planned for May 6th.” 

The festival, which will include music, art, and other performances is set for May 6 at Mount Sequoyah Center, and will include local artists alongside some larger touring acts.

Other satellite events are also in the works, and at least one more event will happen in 2024 as part of this program.

Artists and others interested in getting involved in the program can email [email protected].

The festival lineup for the May event will be released sometime in April.

For a bit more information about the event, visit ammplifynwa.org.