Crystal Bridges Announces Fall Building Bridges Conversations

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BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Crystal Bridges today announced the fall lineup of Building Bridges conversations featuring sixty-sixth U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and journalist Norah O’Donnell. Hosted by Crystal Bridges Board Chair Olivia Walton, Building Bridges brings together thought leaders, thinkers, and artists to model civic dialogue.

On September 30, sixty-sixth U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will speak about democracy, leadership, and what it takes to live well together in a complex and increasingly divided world. Drawing from her experience as a scholar, educator, and diplomat, Sec. Rice will reflect on the importance of civic engagement, strong institutions, education, and the responsibility each American has to contribute to a healthy democracy.

The series continues November 17 with multiple Emmy-Award winning journalist Norah O’Donnell continues the series with a discussion on her New York Times bestseller, "We the Women: Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America." O'Donnell's history book was launched as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The book is a vivid portrait of the unsung American women from 1776 to today who change the course of history in their fight for freedom and helped shape a more perfect union.

As part of Crystal Bridges’ year-long celebration of America at 250, Building Bridges honors the American spirit of meeting in the middle with curiosity, courage, and care. From Crystal Bridges’ home in Bentonville, Arkansas, the museum invites its neighbors and the nation to gather at its bridge, a place that connects what’s divided and can carry us forward together. Past Building Bridges programs have featured President Barack Obama, the forty-fourth president of the United States; documentary filmmaker, Ken Burns; and Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

Crystal Bridges members have first access to tickets for the fall Building Bridges conversations starting at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 10. The museum’s members receive advance notification and early access to ticketed events, like the Building Bridges series. Both events will be livestreamed for the public by Arkansas TV. For more information, visit the Crystal Bridges website.

SEC. CONDOLEEZZA RICE

WHAT: Building Bridges: A Conversation with Sec. Condoleezza Rice

WHEN: Wednesday, September 30 | 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Crystal Bridges | Great Hall | 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, AR, 72712

WHO: Sec. Condoleezza Rice is the Tad and Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institution and a Senior Fellow on Public Policy. She is the Denning Professor in Global Business and the Economy at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. In addition, she is a founding partner of Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC, an international strategic consulting firm.

From January 2005 to January 2009, Rice served as the 66th Secretary of State of the United States, the second woman and first Black woman to hold the post. Rice also served as President George W. Bush’s National Security Advisor from January 2001 to January 2005, the first woman to hold the position. From February 1989 through March 1991, Rice served on President George H. W. Bush’s National Security Council staff.

Rice served as Stanford University’s provost from 1993 to 1999, during which time she was the institution's chief budget and academic officer. As Professor of Political Science, she has been on the Stanford faculty since 1981 and has won two of the university’s highest teaching honors.

In 1991, Rice co-founded the Center for a New Generation (CNG), an innovative, after-school academic enrichment program for students in East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park, California, which later merged with the Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula.

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Rice earned her bachelor’s degree in political science, cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Denver; her master’s in the same subject from the University of Notre Dame; and her Ph.D., likewise in political science, from the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver.

She has authored and co-authored numerous books on international politics, memoirs of her upbringing and her time in government service. Rice is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and has been awarded over fifteen honorary doctorates.

HOW: Tickets are $50 ($40 for members). Guests can purchase tickets online or with Guest Experience at (479)-657-2335.

NORAH O’DONNELL

WHAT: Building Bridges: A Conversation with Norah O’Donnell

WHEN: Tuesday, November 17 | 6 p.m.

WHERE: Heartland Whole Health Institute | Ballroom | 850 Museum Way, Bentonville, AR, 72712

WHO: Norah O'Donnell is a multiple Emmy-Award winning 60 Minutes correspondent. Previously, O'Donnell served as the managing editor and anchor of the "CBS Evening News" for more than five years, in addition to anchoring CBS News election specials. O'Donnell is also the host of "Healthful with Norah O'Donnell," a CBS News podcast focused on women's health.

O'Donnell has earned nearly every major recognition in journalism during her nearly three decades of experience covering the biggest stories in the world and conducting impactful, news-making interviews. She has covered eight presidential elections and has interviewed every living president of the United States, as well as the late former President Jimmy Carter. In 2024, O'Donnell spoke exclusively with Pope Francis in Rome for a historic and first-of-its-kind papal interview for an American journalist.

O'Donnell is also the author of the New York Times bestseller "We the Women: Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America," a history book launched as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Named anchor and managing editor of the "CBS Evening News" in 2019, O'Donnell led CBS News' flagship broadcast from Washington, D.C., becoming only the third woman to solo anchor a network evening broadcast. Previously, O'Donnell was co-host of "CBS This Morning" for seven years. Prior to that, she served as CBS News' chief White House correspondent covering the administration of President Barack Obama.

HOW: Tickets are $50 ($40 for members). Guests can purchase tickets online or with Guest Experience at (479)-657-2335.

Building Bridges is sponsored by Trott Family Philanthropies, Superior Buick GMC | Mercedes-Benz of Northwest Arkansas | BMW of Northwest Arkansas (Superior Auto Group), Kelly and John David Rainey, Stella Boyle Smith Trust, Cathy and Mike Mayton, Trustees, Demara Titzer, 1828 Capital & Partners, AMP Sign & Banner, Rebecca Hurst and Jim Smith | Smith Hurst PLC, Andrea Albright and Patrick Bannon, James and Jana Ecrette, Jim and Susan von Gremp, Marsha and John Phillips and Evren and Omer Tore.

About Crystal Bridges

The mission of Crystal Bridges is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Since opening in 2011, the museum has welcomed more than 15 million visitors across its spaces, with no cost for admission. Crystal Bridges was founded in 2005 as a public 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization by philanthropist Alice Walton. The collection spans five centuries of American masterworks from early American to current day and is enhanced by temporary exhibitions.

The museum is nestled on 134 acres of Ozark landscape and was designed by the world-renowned Safdie Architects. A rare Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house was preserved and relocated to the museum grounds in 2015. Crystal Bridges offers public programs including lectures, performances, classes, and teacher development opportunities, and is the home of the prestigious Don Tyson Prize for the Advancement of American Art and Tyson Scholars of American Art Program. Some 558,375 school children have participated in the Willard and Pat Walker School Visit program, which provides educational experiences for school groups at no cost to the schools.

Additional museum amenities include a restaurant, gift store, library, and five miles of art and walking trails. In February 2020, the museum opened the Momentary in Downtown Bentonville (507 SE E Street), a venue for the music, art, and food of our time. Crystal Bridges’ 114,000 square foot expansion opened to the public June 6 and 7, 2026, allowing the museum to expand access for all. For more information, visit CrystalBridges.org. The museum is located at 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712.