The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA) has named Michael R. Mayton of Little Rock as chair of the AMFA Foundation. He follows Warren Stephens, who resigned as chair as he prepares for a role as U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom. President Donald Trump’s nomination of the billionaire investment banker was formally submitted to the Senate in February. The confirmation process is ongoing.
Stephens’ wife, Harriet, also resigned from her roles with the foundation. She had been foundation director and chair of the nonprofit’s governance committee. The foundation gave both the title of director emeritus.
The AMFA Foundation owns the 14,000 works of art in the museum collection. It also manages the endowment’s investments, supports operations and growth, and oversees art acquisitions and care of the collection.
The Stephenses have been major supporters of AMFA for more than 40 years, most recently as co-chairs of the campaign that raised $176.6 million for a years-long project to renovate and redesign the museum in downtown Little Rock. Harriet Stephens was chair of the committee that oversaw the project. Both formerly served on AMFA’s board of trustees.
“Harriet and I are honored to have served the Museum in many different leadership capacities over the years,” Warren Stephens said in a news release. “With the transformation and opening of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts building and grounds, we are confident that AMFA has a bright future that will continue to educate and inspire all Arkansans and visitors to our state.”
Mayton, the new chair of the AMFA Foundation, is the president, CEO, and senior trustee of the Stella Boyle Smith Trust, a philanthropic entity that supports the performing arts, education, and human services. He was a lawyer in private practice for 47 years specializing in insurance defense litigation.
He’s also an ex officio member of the board of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and chair of the AMFA Foundation Art Committee.
“AMFA has a special role in our community and state. The Museum is not only an arts and culture hub, but it serves as a place to inspire the next generation through visual, performing, and educational experiences,” Mayton said in the release. “I look forward to continuing to serve on the AMFA Foundation and now as Chair in support of the Museum’s mission.”
Mayton has been appointed twice as special chief justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court. In February 2023, he was appointed as commissioner of the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission representing management.
He is a member of the board of directors of the National Symphony Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra National Trustees at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. He also serves on the National Symphony Orchestra Executive Committee and is a member of The Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts. He is the past chair of the National Symphony Orchestra National Trustees.
The AMFA Foundation also announced that Larry Middleton, Mary Ritchey, and Miles Stephens, co-CEO of Stephens Inc., have joined the organization as directors.
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