Educator Preview Night | America 250: Common Threads
You’re invited to an Educator Preview Night for America 250: Common Threads, a vibrant special exhibition in honor of America’s Semiquincentennial!
Join us for an early look at this once-in-a-generation exhibition celebrating 250 years of the American spirit, co-created with input from teachers and students across Arkansas. America 250: Common Threads explores the history of our country, ideas of independence, and the importance of community through a rich mix of historical documents, newly commissioned works, and recent acquisitions from the Crystal Bridges collection. Together, these works invite reflection on how the myriad of voices in our country tell a powerful story of independence and community.
This free evening is designed for educators and education administrators, offering a preview of the student visit experience. You’ll be welcomed with an introduction to the exhibition and its educational goals, with Museum Educators available throughout the galleries to answer questions, share how students will engage with the exhibition, and highlight educational resources that support learning before, during, and after a visit.
In addition to the curated exhibition, America 250: Common Threads features a participatory quilt project that invites students to see their ideas take shape inside the museum. Student-designed quilt squares from across the state are being stitched together by live quilters to create commemorative quilts. During the preview night, you’ll be able to see this engagement in action. Educators are also welcome to pick up a quilt kit for their classroom! Student-designed squares can be returned to the museum during a future field trip or at any point while the exhibition is on view.
Free, tickets required. Reserve your spot online or by calling Guest Experience at (479) 657-2335 today.
America 250: Common Threads is organized in partnership with the American Folk Art Museum. This exhibition is part of Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, presented by Craft in America.
