SoNA Oral History with a Focus on Corporate Philanthropy

Author

Caleb FairchildFollow

Date of Graduation

5-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Finance

Advisor/Mentor

Hodge, Chelsea

Abstract

The arts scene of Northwest Arkansas has become increasingly woven into the culture of the ever-progressing region, and one of the longest-lasting players in this field is the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas. As a forerunner for so many other fine arts organizations in the area, there is much to learn from the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas. SoNA requested that the University of Arkansas record these experiences of past and present alike in the form of an oral history. As SoNA looks to the future, they recognize the many players who helped the organization to both survive and thrive at various points in its history through hard work, fundraising, and a shared love of the arts. One of the primary drivers of SoNA’s, and other organizations like it, success in the region is the undeniable benefit of a philanthropically minded corporate base, most notably the Walton family (R. Nicholson, personal communication, February 16, 2022). Throughout this oral history project, I look to understand the overall history of SoNA so that we can contribute to the organization’s vision for the project while contextualizing the impact of corporate funding on the symphony orchestra.

Keywords

SoNA, Corporate Philanthropy, Northwest Arkansas, Arts

Citation

Fairchild, C. (2022). SoNA Oral History with a Focus on Corporate Philanthropy. Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/finnuht/82