In 2025, work began to renovate and revitalize the UA Little Rock Planetarium that had been closed for nearly 20 years. This work will restore a longtime campus landmark and expand access to immersive science education for students and the broader Little Rock community.
$1.2 Million Gift to Restore Planetarium
In 2026, UA Little Rock received a $1.2 million gift from Leslye Shellam to restore the planetarium. The gift honors the legacy of Shellam’s late father, Arkansas business leader L. Dickson Flake, and will name the facility the Shellam Flake Planetarium. “The planetarium has long been a special place on campus, and I wanted to help bring it back for today’s students and families,” Shellam said. “It’s meaningful to be able to restore a space that encourages curiosity and a love of science and learning.”
Shellam Flake Planetarium
The planetarium will undergo a full renovation, including major technology upgrades, improvements to the roof and flooring, and the installation of a state-of-the-art projection system that eliminates the traditional central projector, creating unobstructed views of the dome. The renovated space will feature modern, home theater-style seating for up to 89 visitors.
Once reopened, the planetarium will serve UA Little Rock students, faculty, and staff, as well as K–12 school groups and members of the general public.
The planetarium is on target to open in Fall of 2026. It’s part of the university’s broader science-based investments which includes the campus observatory, the future UA Little Rock Museum of Natural History, and new outdoor educational features such as the Solar System Walk along Trojan Way.
Additional details about programming and public access will be announced as renovations continue and the planetarium is reimagined to support both student experiences and community engagement.
Sign Up For Events and Updates
As the project moves forward, you can sign up to be included in communication about events and updates. If you have a memory about being at the planetarium, we’d love for you to share it with us too!
