Darrell Walker Joins the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation

The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA) appoints Darrell Walker as a new director for the AMFA Foundation. Walker is the head basketball coach at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and an avid collector of African American contemporary art.

“Mr. Walker brings broad expertise on art, museums, and community to the AMFA Foundation. His strong leadership is evident from his successful career on the court, and his keen knowledge of today’s art world will help shape the future of the Foundation’s Collection,” said AMFA Foundation Chair Warren Stephens.

Walker has extensive basketball experience at both the collegiate and professional level. His playing experience includes three years at the University of Arkansas and 10 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), followed by a 20-year professional coaching career, including serving as head coach for two different NBA franchises.

“I began collecting art created by African American artists over 30 years ago and have spent a lot of time getting to know artists and discovering new contemporary and emerging artists,” said Walker. “I like to bring my passion for art to my players. I recently took the entire team to view the Whitfield Lovell exhibition at AMFA, and I look forward to continuing to introduce the next generation to the great artists of the past and future.”

In addition, John Ed Anthony will be stepping down as an AMFA Foundation Director. Anthony joined the Foundation in 2016, and he will continue to serve in an advisory capacity as a member of the investment committee. “We are grateful for John Ed’s contribution to the Foundation throughout the past seven years, which have been a transformative time for the museum,” Stephens said.

The AMFA Foundation is a nonprofit entity that owns the 14,000 works of art in the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation Collection. The Foundation board manages the endowment’s investments, supporting the museum’s ongoing operations and growth, and oversees art acquisitions and care of the collection.

AMFA Foundation Directors include: Warren Stephens, Chair; Ben Hussman, Vice-Chair; George O’Connor, Treasurer; Victoria Ramirez, Secretary; Terri Erwin; Michael Mayton; Harriet Stephens; Robert W. Tucker, Past Chair; Darrell Walker; Stan Hastings, AMFA Board of Trustees President.