The mission of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies (est. 1997) is to promote "a greater understanding and appreciation of Arkansas history, literature, art, and culture." [1] Named after Richard C. Butler Sr., a noted Little Rock lawyer and philanthropist, [2] the primary function of the Butler Center is as a research library and historical archive, specializing in Arkansas related materials. [3] The offices and collections of the Butler Center are located in the Bobby L. Roberts Library of Arkansas History & Art in Little Rock. [4]
In addition, the Butler Center manages an online repository of Arkansas history called The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture at the Central Arkansas Library System. [5] Other projects of the Butler Center include the Arkansas Sounds Music Series, featuring live performances by musicians with ties to Arkansas; [6] Radio CALS, a weekly radio show featuring music, lectures, and oral histories from the Butler Center collections; [7] and the Arkansas Studies Institute, a joint project providing researchers access to the collections of the Butler Center and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's Center for Arkansas History and Culture. [8] The Butler Center also operates four art exhibition spaces, as well as a contemporary art store featuring the work of Arkansas artists. [9]