Patti Grimes is the executive director of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation.
As 2024 draws to a close, the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation is proud to celebrate 17 years of enriching our community through the arts. Since 2008, we have created opportunities that elevate the human spirit and impacted more than 1 million individuals through our programs — the Freeman Arts Pavilion and the Arts Access Initiative. This year marked milestones in creativity, connection and collaboration, all thanks to the unwavering support of our donors, volunteers and local partners.
In 2024, we unveiled the next phase of our expansion project at Freeman Arts Pavilion. This phase included a new permanent restroom facility, an upgraded concession building, the relocation of the food truck area and improved accessibility of the Lower Lawn. This winter, we also broke ground on the next phase of construction — a new permanent stage and artist and production facilities. These enhancements will help us serve our growing audience and continue to offer a welcoming, inclusive space for the arts, while allowing us to bring even more dynamic and enriching programming to our stage and beyond.
This year, we continued to bring diverse arts experiences to residents and visitors, presenting 66 performances at Freeman Arts Pavilion. From sold-out shows by Joe Bonamassa, Cole Swindell, George Thorogood & the Destroyers and Jerry Seinfeld to captivating showcases from Delaware’s own, including the First State Ballet Theatre, visual artist John Donato and Arts & Jazz Festival performer Joe Baione, our season offered something for everyone. We welcomed nearly 104,000 guests of all ages and interests to enjoy music, dance, theater and more.
We also expanded our Arts Access Initiative, which provides high-quality experiences year-round at no cost to participants. In addition to our Arts Education Program, which reached over 20,300 students from prekindergarten to 12th grades in Sussex, Wicomico and Worcester counties, our Community Partners Program served almost 3,300 individuals through outreach events in the community at large. These programs are integral to our mission of making the arts accessible to all.
This year, we launched an initiative with our Spotlight Series that provides smaller programs on a year-round basis, with events that blend education and enrichment in collaboration with regional arts organizations, such as Clear Space Theatre Co., OperaDelaware and the University of Delaware School of Music.
Every event in 2024 — whether at the Freeman Arts Pavilion, in schools or out in the community — was a celebration of creativity and culture that brought our neighbors together in meaningful ways. These successes would not be possible without the dedication of our board of directors, staff, award-winning volunteer corps, donors, grant givers and other partners. This support has enabled us to present the arts in ways that inspire and connect.
Beyond inspiring creativity, the arts serve as a driving force for our region’s economic growth and social inclusion. In 2024, we contributed almost $25 million to the local and regional economy; received a satisfaction rating of 98% from our guests; and participated in a pilot program with the state of Delaware as job coaches for Howard T. Ennis School students, who joined us as seasonal staff members at the Pavilion.
Building on these accomplishments, we are ready and excited to seize new opportunities in 2025 and beyond. We remain committed to being a beacon for the arts, fostering connections and contributing to the cultural and economic vitality of our region. We are grateful for everyone who has been a part of this journey — your support and passion fuel everything we do.
Join us as we continue to bring the transformative power of the arts to Delmarva. Together, we can make the future even brighter.
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