DCC increases outreach into Delta region

DCC increases outreach into Delta region

Artifact placement plans include West Memphis Welcome Center

Delta Cultural Center HELENA-WEST HELENA — The Delta Cultural Center (DCC) was established in 1990 and was charged with preserving, interpreting, and presenting the heritage of the Arkansas Delta. As the only museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage located outside of Little Rock, the DCC has the daunting task of serving 27 counties in eastern Arkansas.

The staff is working hard to reach out to the entire Delta region. Despite the challenge of serving such a large area, the DCC is making great strides. Curator Drew Ulrich and other staff members are working with state agencies, institutions of higher education and non-profit organizations to expand the presence of the DCC within the region.

The DCC's exhibit, “Against Their Will,” is on permanent loan to the World War II Japanese American Internment Museum in McGehee, Arkansas. Recently Ulrich placed an artifact from the DCC's permanent collection in the Arkansas Welcome Center at Helena-West Helena, with plans to do the same at the welcome centers in West Memphis and Blytheville.

In addition, the DCC has installed an exhibit about the 1927 Flood at the Delta Heritage Trail State Park at Barton. Musical artifacts will soon be on display at the Fine Arts Center on the campus of East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City. DCC's outreach to Delta communities includes pre- sentations to schools, civic groups, and historical associations. Education coordinator Richard Spilman reaches out to schools throughout the region for participation in the Blues Heritage Youth Art Competition, as well as workshops and programs that can be customized for specific groups.

Public information officer Paula Oliver uses the website and social media to inform

the public about DCC

programs, but also promotes events and attractions throughout the Delta.

The DCC is always seeking outreach opportunities to help tell the story of the entire Delta.

For more information contact the DCC at 1-800-3580972, or info@deltaculturalcenter.co m. You can also visit our website at www.deltaculturalcenter.

com or our

Facebook page at www.facebook.com/deltaculturalcenter.

Other agencies of the Department of Arkansas Heritage are Historic Arkansas Museum, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, Old State House Museum, the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, Arkansas Arts Council, Arkansas State Archives, and the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission.

From Paula Oliver