We’re only a few weeks away from the start of the 17th season of presenting the arts at Freeman Arts Pavilion. While you may think the off-season offers plenty of downtime — our mission is in motion as our team is busy preparing for the season and presenting arts on Delmarva.
The outdoor performance venue located in Selbyville is just one aspect of the work we do at the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, a fundraising arts nonprofit. We impact more than 130,000 individuals annually through two programs, the Arts Access Initiative and Freeman Arts Pavilion.
The Arts Access Initiative offers high-quality, diverse arts experiences at no cost to participants through four programs — Arts Education, Community Partners, the Young Audience Series and free evening programming at Freeman Arts Pavilion. Each year, more than 50% of all our programming is free to attend.
During the 2023-24 school year, more than 24,000 students will have participated in eight Arts Education programs. Whether they were third graders at North Georgetown Elementary School watching a performance by Calpulli Mexican Dance Company or ninth graders at Indian River High School engaging in a therapeutic visual arts program called “Doodley Brain,” students in Sussex, Worcester and Wicomico counties were impacted by our Arts Education program.
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It's those experiences we’re touched by the most. Having access to the arts can provide an outlet for individuals to express themselves or find solace in an art form they have never experienced. The arts have the power to bring people together — having access to the arts is imperative to individuals and communities.
This season, visitors will be able to enjoy over 70 performances at Freeman Arts Pavilion. Guests will notice a few updates to the venue when they visit Freeman Arts Pavilion, many of which were suggestions received by attendees in our 2023 end-of-season survey.
We’re excited to share we’ve revamped the Lower Lawn, which will feature more accessible navigation; an expanded Canteen for food and drinks, including mobile orders; a new permanent restroom facility; a refillable water station and a beer garden to enjoy draft beers from several local breweries. Our partnership with local food trucks will also continue in a newly dedicated Food Truck Court closer to the Grand Green.
The journey toward the final iteration of Freeman Arts Pavilion is not possible without the community’s support. Contributing to our organization as a donor, ticket buyer or volunteer is vital to our mission. A gift of any amount can make a significant impact and help us maintain our high-quality arts programming and vision of transforming lives through the arts.
Thank you for your continued support in being part of and creating a vibrant arts community.
Visit freemanarts.org to learn more about our 2024 season. We can’t wait to see you at Freeman Arts Pavilion to enjoy the Sounds of the Summer!
Patti A. Grimes is the executive director of Joshua M. Freeman Foundation.
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