Robinson Center: Little Rock's Premier Performance Venue

Robinson Center, located in downtown Little Rock's Statehouse Plaza, has been a cornerstone of the city's cultural scene since 1939. Named after Joseph Taylor Robinson, a former U.S. Senator, Congressman, and Arkansas Governor, the center has a rich history of hosting major events and performances. The center's architecture is notable, particularly the south façade of the Robinson Center Music Hall, which was designed by Eugene J. Stern and Wittenberg & Delony. Its columns echo the Greek Revival style of the nearby Old State House Museum. The Music Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007 as the Joseph Taylor Robinson Municipal Auditorium. Over the years, Robinson Center has welcomed many famous performers, including Elvis Presley, Louis Armstrong, and Ray Charles. It has also hosted important events, such as lectures by Eleanor Roosevelt and speeches by four U.S. presidents: Dwight Eisenhower, Harry Truman, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. The venue was segregated until the mid-1960s. In 2017, Robinson Center reopened after a $70 million renovation that improved the theater, expanded lobby areas, and added a new ballroom overlooking the Arkansas River. The renovation also reconfigured the theater to create a more intimate audience experience. Today, Robinson Center continues to be Little Rock's premier performance and event venue. It is home to the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and hosts traveling Broadway productions, concerts, and special events. The Robinson Center Conference Center offers meeting spaces, ballrooms, and a river-facing terrace for weddings, corporate gatherings, and conventions.