Provost Leads Effort in Shellam Flake Planetarium Seat Sponsorship Program
Before phase two construction begins, UA Little Rock Provost Ann Bain has already picked out her seats, becoming the first to invest in the Shellam Flake Planetarium’s new seats.
She’s sponsoring two in honor of her grandchildren, Sadie and Henry, making the project personal long before the doors open.
“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate curiosity and discovery than by supporting a space like the planetarium,” Bain said. “Knowing Sadie and Henry will have a connection to this experience, and that so many other children will be inspired here, makes this especially meaningful.”
That same opportunity is now available to others.
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is inviting alumni, friends, and community partners to support the return of the planetarium through a new seat sponsorship program.
Following a $1.2 million gift to restore and modernize the Shellam Flake Planetarium, the university is offering a limited opportunity for supporters to sponsor seats inside the facility. Each sponsored seat will include a personalized nameplate displayed for five years.
“The return of the planetarium to our campus is a transformative moment for UA Little Rock, and our seat sponsorship program offers our community a unique opportunity to be a part of that legacy,” said Dr. Tansel Karabacak, dean of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. “We invite alumni, friends, and partners to lend their support and help inspire the next generation of scientists, educators, and explorers right here in central Arkansas.”
Seat sponsorships are available for $2,500 for a five-year term, with the option to make a one-time gift or a five-year pledge of $500 per year. Sponsors will receive a personalized nameplate on a planetarium seat for the duration of the sponsorship, with the opportunity to renew at the end of the five-year period.
Sponsors may choose to recognize an individual, family, organization, or honor the memory of a loved one. Seat selections will be available on a first-come, first-served basis once commitments are confirmed.
Funds raised through the program will support the planetarium’s educational mission, including:
- STEM education programs
- K–12 school field trips
- Public planetarium shows
- Equipment maintenance and upgrades
- Student learning experiences
The restored Shellam Flake Planetarium will serve as a multidisciplinary learning space, creating hands-on opportunities for students across campus. The space will feature student artwork in adjacent outdoor areas, involve students in developing the planetarium’s visual identity, and provide business students opportunities to create and implement marketing plans.
The planetarium is scheduled to open in Fall 2026. To learn more about the planetarium or to purchase a seat, visit ualr.edu/planetarium or call Lloyd Webre at 501-951-1794.