Walmart AMP
About Us:
The Walmart AMP (Arkansas Music Pavilion, the AMP) - is known as Northwest Arkansas' premiere outdoor concert venue. The AMP has been one of the top 100 amphitheaters in the nation and has produced headlining concerts for the past 10 years. It began offering seasonal music performances at the Northwest Arkansas Mall parking lot in 2005.
Walton Arts Center purchased the AMP in February 2011 with the goal of expanding arts and entertainment and serving a broader audience. The intent was to reposition the venue from the mall parking lot to the adjacent hillside, increasing the capacity and improving the overall experience. In 2011, lease negotiations fell through and the venue was moved to a temporary location at the Washington County Fairgrounds for the 2012-13 seasons.
The temporary site at the Washington County Fairgrounds served as a springboard for larger stage set-ups and expanded programming. After significant growth in attendance, ticket sales and demand, it became clear that a permanent and dedicated site was needed to sustain a profitable business model and meet the growing need for arts and entertainment in the region. In 2013, Walton Arts Center officials began meeting with municipalities and developers all over the region to search for a new location and was given the opportunity to move to seven acres of land in Pinnacle Hills. This proved to be a viable option with all the criteria in place including proximity to I-540, multiple access points, supporting infrastructure all set in a vibrant commercial district. In May 2013, the WAC Board approved a proposal to relocate the new, permanent amphitheater in Rogers.
Construction started in November 2013 with the goal of opening in time for the summer 2014 season. In February 2014, WAC announced that Walmart would be the founding title sponsor for the Arkansas Music Pavilion to be called the Walmart AMP.
The new venue opened in June 2014 and accommodates 9, 500+ people, with 3,200 covered seats and additional general admission seating on a sloped lawn. The new Walmart AMP has upgraded air-conditioned concessions and restrooms, a permanent pavilion and the biggest stage house in Arkansas.
