Partners

Made possible by generous support

The Arkansas Folklife Festival thrives because of the businesses, organizations, and individuals who believe in preserving our cultural heritage.

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Founding Presenting Sponsors

The heart of our festival

North Little Rock Tourism
North Little Rock Tourism is here to make sure you enjoy your experience in North Little Rock, from a family vacation to a corporate meeting.
Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage is a research center of the Smithsonian Institution. Their mission is to connect communities across cultures—cultivating curiosity, understanding, and belonging for all people. 

Presenting sponsors

The heart of our festival

Arkansas Department of Heritage
Arkansas Heritage celebrates the people, places and traditions that shape The Natural State.
AY Media Group
Arkansas' leading lifestyle publication since 1988, AY Magazine captures the people, places, and culture that define the Natural State — from the Ozarks to Little Rock and everywhere in between.
City of North Little Rock
The City of North Little Rock — home to Riverfront Park and the Arkansas Folklife Festival — is a vibrant community on the Arkansas River known for its parks, arts district, and welcoming public spaces.
Downtown Argenta Council
The Argenta Downtown Council stewards North Little Rock's Argenta Arts District — fostering a vibrant, creative, and economically healthy neighborhood where arts, culture, dining, and community life converge.

Gold sponsors

Sustaining the festival’s creative vision

Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Arkansas' oldest continuously published newspaper — and the state's paper of record — the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has chronicled the Natural State since 1819.
Arkansas Folk and Traditional Arts
AFTA is dedicated to documenting, presenting, and sustaining Arkansas' living traditional arts and folklife.
Highlander Center
Founded in 1932, Highlander is a movement school and training ground for organizers across the South, Appalachia, and beyond — connecting past struggles to today’s work for justice.
Ozark Beer Company
Named best brewery in Arkansas by Thrillist and headquartered in historic downtown Rogers, Ozark Beer Co. brews nationally recognized ales and lagers for the people of Arkansas.
Pink House Alchemy
Farm-to-bottle simple syrups, bitters, and shrubs — handcrafted by a team of alchemists in Fayetteville, Arkansas, from roots, barks, fruits, herbs, and botanicals.
Reinvesting With Arkansas
A statewide funder supporting Arkansas 501(c)(3) nonprofits that serve seniors and disabled adults, from community-based caregivers like senior centers and Meals on Wheels to facility-based providers.
The Oxford American
The Oxford American (OA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to explore the complexity and vitality of the American South through exceptional writing, music, and visual art.

Silver sponsors

Steady hands building the festival

Arkansas Strong
Arkansas Strong is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to share Arkansas stories and advance The Natural State.
Arkansas Times
Arkansas' independent news source since 1974 — covering politics, culture, dining, and the arts through a progressive lens, with a commitment to accountability journalism.
Arkansas United
Arkansas’s immigrant organizing and advocacy coalition, empowering immigrant communities through leadership development, civic engagement, and service navigation since 2012.
Arkansongs
A weekly NPR radio program on KUAR exploring the people, songs, and stories that made Arkansas one of the most important states in the formation of American music.
City of Little Rock
Arkansas’s capital city, founded in 1821 along the south bank of the Arkansas River, home to the state government, the Clinton Presidential Center, and the cultural heart of central Arkansas.
Delta Dirt Distillery logo
Delta Dirt Distillery
Family-owned craft distillery in Helena, turning sweet potatoes grown on four generations of Williams family farmland into award-winning farm-to-bottle spirits.
Healthy Flavors Arkansas
A community-based farm in the Lollie Bottoms west of Conway focused on sustainable agriculture and locally grown produce.
KARK - FOX 16
Little Rock's NBC affiliate since 1954 — KARK 4 News delivers more than 34 hours of locally produced news each week, keeping Arkansas informed, accountable, and connected.
KASU
Arkansas’ first non-commercial public radio station that connects the region to music, news, arts, and views since 1957.
Ozark Folk Center
Located in Mountain View, Ozark Folk Center State Park is dedicated to perpetuating the music, crafts, and culture of the Ozarks.
Rock Town Distillery logo
Rock Town Distillery
Arkansas’s first legal distillery since Prohibition: handcrafting bourbon, rye, gin, and vodka in downtown Little Rock from grains grown on Arkansas farms.

Bronze sponsors

Grassroots support for Arkansas folklife

107 Liquor
North Little Rock's neighborhood liquor store — stocking an exceptional selection of wine, craft beer, seltzers, and spirits at everyday low prices, with a growler bar and a passion for finding what you're looking for.
Arkansas Brewers Guild
The official voice of the Arkansas craft beer industry, advancing the state’s brewing community through legislation, education, collaboration, and promotion.
Clinton Presidential Library
Located on the banks of the Arkansas River in downtown Little Rock, the Clinton Presidential Center prepares leaders across generations with the skills to strengthen communities and democracy.
Creative Descriptions
Audio description, braille production, and sighted guide services making the Arkansas Folklife Festival accessible to blind and visually impaired visitors. Led by Sandee Pinkstaff.
DaTule' Arts Collective
Datule' Artist Collective is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to providing culturally relevant experiences in music, visual art, and literature.
SJX Production Associates LTD
A Little Rock services firm providing logistics, printing, and production support for festivals and community events across central Arkansas.
The Momentary
The Momentary brings together contemporary visual, performing, and culinary arts into a welcoming, communal space in Northwest Arkansas.
The Vine
The weekday lifestyle show on THV11, Little Rock’s CBS affiliate, hosted by Ashley King and Tracy Beene. Covering the people, food, and culture of the Natural State every morning at 9 AM.
Grassroots

Every gift matters

Support at any level strengthens what we do

The Baker
A boutique hotel in North Little Rock’s Argenta Arts District, set in the historic Baker House at 501 Main Street.
ArkSkyViews
A North Little Rock drone photography and videography company providing FAA-certified aerial imaging for events, real estate, and construction across central Arkansas.
Ease Supper Club
A North Little Rock supper club built on communal seating, creative seasonal menus, and Arkansas-grown produce, held in the historic Park Hill neighborhood and at the E.O. Manees House in Argenta.
Central Arkansas Library System
The largest public library system in Arkansas, serving 15 libraries across Pulaski and Perry counties with collections, programs, and community spaces.
Get Loud Arkansas
Centennial Bank
Centennial Bank is a customer focused bank that provides a broad range of commercial and retail banking and related financial services to businesses, investors, individuals and municipalities.
Arkansas Life
A literary-minded magazine that digs deep into the Natural State — surfacing surprising stories and introducing readers to new facets of a familiar place.

in-kind sponsors

Support for the Festival from our In-Kind Sponsors

Ben E. Keith
A premier food and beverage distributor delivering quality across the South and beyond — and a proud in-kind supporter of the Arkansas Folklife Festival.

Sponsor a Festival Feature

Prefer to put your name on something specific? Sponsors can underwrite individual festival elements — the Main Stage, Dance Pavilion, Foodways & Community Kitchen, Youth & Family Area, Accessibility programming, and more. Feature sponsorships can be matched to a tier or built as a custom package.

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Let’s Build this together

Custom packages are available. We'll work with you to find the right fit for your organization's goals — and ensure your recognition feels community-centered, respectful, and authentic to the festival's values.‍

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FAQs

Find answers to common questions about sponsoring the festival

What sponsorship levels exist?

We offer four tiers: Presenting, Gold, Silver, and Community. Each level provides distinct recognition, booth opportunities, and partnership benefits. Custom arrangements are available for organizations with unique needs or larger commitments.

Can we customize our sponsorship?

Absolutely. We work with sponsors to create partnerships that align with their goals and values. Contact our sponsorship team to discuss what matters most to your organization.

What does logo placement include?

Sponsor logos appear on festival materials, the website, program guides, and signage at Riverfront Park. Presenting and Gold sponsors receive prominent placement across all channels.

Do we get festival passes?

Yes. Presenting sponsors receive premium VIP passes.

Is there a booth space available?

Presenting and Gold sponsors can reserve booth space to activate their brand or share services. Space is limited and allocated on a first-come basis.

How long is the sponsorship commitment?

Most sponsorships are annual, covering the June festival. Multi-year partnerships and year-round benefits are available for Presenting and Gold sponsors.

Can we co-market the festival?

Yes. Presenting and Gold sponsors receive co-marketing opportunities, including social media features, press releases, and website spotlights.

What if we want to sponsor a specific stage?

Stage naming rights are available for Presenting sponsors. This exclusive recognition appears on all stage signage and promotional materials throughout the festival.

How do we get started?

Download our sponsorship prospectus or contact our team directly. We'll walk you through options, answer questions, and help you find the right fit.

Still have questions?

Reach out to our sponsorship team

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Ready to make an impact

Your support keeps Arkansas folklife alive and thriving for generations to come.

Sponsor the Festival