# Wal-Mart Art Museum Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art By Going Like Sixty | Published 2008-03-28 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crystal-bridges-art-museum-walton References: [crystalbridges.org](http://www.crystalbridges.org/main.aspx) One of the [Wal-Mart](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walmart-brand-refresh) billionaires decided that the world wide headquarters for Wal-mart, [Bentonville](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bentonville-school), Arkansas, needed a world-class art institution. The [Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meyers-manx) will be dedicated to American art and artists. Over 100,000 square feed with a 25 seat auditorium will be built and ready to open in three years. All photos are by Timothy Hursley courtesy Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. **Implications** - Large-scale corporations continually strive for positive public perception of their brand, and investing in educational initiatives and the arts is a surefire way to boost a company’s image. Funding museums and art galleries that showcase work from regional artists not only enhances the company’s dedication to education, but also its focus on the local community. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.9/10 - Popularity: 19% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Corporate Support for the Arts:** Large-scale corporations investing in museums and art galleries to enhance their brand image and community focus. - **Promotion of Regional Artists:** Investment in art institutions showcasing work from local artists to demonstrate a commitment to education and community support. - **Integration of Education and Entertainment:** Combining art exhibits with auditoriums for educational programs to create a holistic experience for visitors. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Retail:** Retail companies like Wal-Mart can invest in art institutions to enhance their brand image and community engagement. - **Art and Culture:** Museums and art galleries can receive corporate support to promote regional artists and provide educational resources. - **Entertainment:** By integrating educational programs with art exhibits, the entertainment industry can offer unique and immersive experiences for visitors. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Modern Medical Campuses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bentonville-school.md) - [Desert-Inspired Art Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/las-vegas-museum-of-art.md) - [Visual Museum Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/museum-campaign.md) - [Commercial-Transformed Artful Galleries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/canyon-1.md) - [Community Western Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jackson-hole.md) - [Future-Focused Big Box Retailers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walmart-store-of-the-future.md) - [Pearl-Inspired Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dubai-museum.md) - [In-Person Gallery Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/whataburger-museum-of-art.md) - [University Art Landmarks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/princeton-university-art-museum.md)