The Springfield Youth Symphony String Quartet becomes the first ensemble to perform inside the Arts News studio as the group prepares for its upcoming trip to New York City and Carnegie Hall. We also talk with DOTS, Devising Original Theatre Springfield, about its Fringe Festival, the March 1 submission deadline, and the organization’s growth. The Aetos Center brings Rock and bluegrass to Nixa. Plus, a Sound Check segment with Jess Balisle and Joe Dillstrom.

The Ozarks Heritage Research Center in collaboration with the West Plains Council on the Arts, as well as the West Plains Public Library, will host a reading of “Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks” for the 2026 African American Read In event.

Brick City Gallery is hosting “Makeshift Ruminations: Work from Forty Years in Ceramic Art by Keith Ekstam” through February 20.

Reporter Jimmy Rea speaks with Executive Director Dr. Gretchen Teague and founding member Kristin Farr about the festival and the organization’s path to this year’s event.

Under the direction of Carla Wootton, the Springfield Youth Symphony will travel to New York City to collaborate with leaders in the classical music world and perform at Carnegie Hall, marking a major milestone for the ensemble.

Governor Mike Kehoe has recommended that several million dollars of funding be cut from the Missouri Arts Council.

R. Ritchie Robertson founded Springfield's famed Boy Scout Band as well as the Kilties drum and bugle corps.

Events will be held in Pummill Hall on February 12 and 13.

Joe Dillstrom will be on Studio Live on Friday, February 13, 2026 at noon. Then catch is in-person performance at BrewCo for Studio Live Social Hour from 6 to 8 pm that night.

New York Times bestselling author Cullen Bunn discusses his new novel, the NPR Tiny Desk Contest deadline draws near, ArtCon comes to Neosho, SMAC hosts a solo photography exhibition, and we hear music from Mabel Laine and Roxie & the Moon King.