Bring the BAM

A Venue Like No Other

The venue is planned to be located on Highway 5 North, spanning an impressive 50,000 square feet on 15 acres of land. With a capacity of 3,000 people, it will be one of the largest entertainment spaces in the state. The facility will feature a flat floor with stage and stadium seating, ensuring a flexible setup for various events. Advanced lighting and sound technology will enhance performances, making it a premier destination for artists and audiences alike.

The Vision Behind the Project

Shane Knight, President and CEO of the Greater Bryant Chamber of Commerce, has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life. Since his appointment a year ago, Shane has worked closely with the City to drive economic development. Recognizing the younger demographic of Bryant—where the average age is 37, compared to the state average of 39—and the high percentage of families with children (64%), he saw an opportunity to create a family-friendly entertainment hub that would benefit the entire community.

To ensure the venue’s success, extensive research was conducted on entertainment centers across the country. Insights from these studies have helped shape a venue tailored to meet Bryant’s unique needs.

The Chamber drew insight from three other venues, and primarily from the Factory in Chesterfield, Missouri, which has a capacity of 3,000. With its unique, movable partitions, the Factory can accommodate many different seating configurations. This allows for tremendous floor plan flexibility, ranging from 2,350-person seated shows to 610-person seated dinners to intimate gatherings of any size. 

The hope is to situate Bryant Arts & Music as the anchor of a new entertainment complex. Shane says the vision includes restaurants and shops surrounding the Center, creating options to appeal to everyone. 

A Major Economic Impact

The Chamber’s No. 1 focus is on growing business and creating jobs in the community. The proposed new venue checks all the boxes. An independent management study projects that the Bryant Arts & Music Center will attract 100,000 to 150,000 visitors annually, generating a $13 million economic impact for the City, Shane says. The project is also expected to create 87 new jobs, further strengthening the local economy.

The venue’s benefits will generate a City-owned revenue source with limited liabilities, Shane notes. The facility represents potential for a significant compound annual growth, both in tax-based and property value. “It brings to the City fresh capital rather than recirculated capital.”

Shane emphasizes that the venue will not compete directly with the Benton Event Center but rather complement it by offering additional event opportunities for Saline County. The influx of visitors will also benefit local businesses, restaurants, and retail stores.

The Road to Approval

The project hinges on an important vote set to take place during the May 13 primary election. Bryant residents will decide on two key measures:

1. Reappropriating an existing bond originally used to develop Bishop Park and the Parkway.

2. Approving the construction of the new venue.

“This is not an A&P tax or sales tax increase,” Shane clarifies. “We simply need voters to approve the reallocation of funds and the construction of the event venue.”

With strong community support, the project is on track to move forward. If the vote passes, architectural renderings and designs will be unveiled by fall, and construction could begin by winter 2026.

A Destination for the Future

“This venue will give the city something that truly belongs to Bryant,” Shane says. “It will be a destination that draws people in and boosts our economy.”

As Election Day approaches, efforts are underway to inform and engage the community. Yard signs promoting the vote have been distributed, and Shane has been actively meeting with local organizations such as the Rotary Club. Additionally, a Chamber of Commerce breakfast event is scheduled for April 9 to discuss the project’s benefits.

“We have example facilities and concepts already in place,” Shane says. “There is no need to overthink the design or squelch the imagination of possibilities.”

This venue will be one of the biggest assets to Bryant proper, and a huge impact to Saline County as a whole, says Jeremia Oltmans, a Bryant businessman. “I see this as a win, win, win, win situation. This is a phenomenal opportunity for Bryant to take advantage of at no new cost.”

How to Vote

Residents can cast their votes at First Baptist Church of Bryant or the Saline County Library branch on Prickett Road. Early voting begins May 6.

With a $30 million investment at stake, this is the largest single project ever proposed for Bryant. Shane remains optimistic: “If the vote doesn’t pass, we’ll go back to the drawing board. But all arrows point to a yes.”

If approved, the Bryant Arts & Music Center will serve as a cultural and economic powerhouse, cementing Bryant’s place as a thriving hub for arts and entertainment in Arkansas.