Job Preview for Murphy Arts District planned

EL DORADO — Part of the preparations for the grand opening of the Murphy Arts District includes staffing the entertainment venues and events that will kick off in late September.

To that end, El Dorado Festivals and Events, Inc., is inviting the community to an event to learn about available job opportunities.

A Job Preview will be held from 2 until 4 p.m. on June 22 in the El Dorado Conference Center, 311 S. West Ave.

Festivals and Events is steering the massive Murphy Arts District project, which will repurpose several properties into a variety art and entertainment venues in Downtown El Dorado.

The group recently announced the entertainment lineup for the grand opening celebration on Sept. 27 — Oct. 1.

Acts include ZZ Top, Brad Paisley, Natasha Bedingfield, Train, Smokey Robinson, Ludacris and more.

The Griffin Restaurant is also expected to open at that time, and with the grand opening, comes the need for workers.

Cindy Nixon, human resource manager for Festivals and Events, explained that the goal of the Job Preview is to discuss the totality of what it will mean to work with the Festivals and Events team, including an understanding of available positions, the philosophy of customer service and other related topics.

“This will be an informative discussion … that will include the total Murphy Arts District

experience: the Griffin Restaurant, Griffin Music Hall, amphitheater and playscape … and how you can become part of our team,” Nixon said. “We will have a lot of positions to go over in the Job Preview.”

For instance, she said the Griffin Restaurant will be a farm-to-table eatery, meaning that it will be part of an ever-growing trend that supports local and regional producers and distributors with direct acquisition of fresh foods and ingredients when possible.

“We will talk about the idea behind farmto-table,” Nixon said. “Individuals will have the opportunity to have one-on-one discussions with the Griffin Restaurant management staff regarding the various positions we will have available for the restaurant and events.”

Bob Tarren, chief marketing officer for Festivals and Events, said the group will not be taking job applications during the Job Preview but will accept resumes from those who submit them.

Not long after the announcement of the Job Preview was posted to the Festivals and Events Facebook page earlier this week, Tarren said dozens of people posted comments saying that they planned to attend.

For more information, call 870-863-4547 or visit the Festivals and Events Facebook page.