Grimes: Freeman hits milestone with 1 million guests

This achievement is a testament to our growing need for the arts in the area and our impact on the greater community, as well as reflects the support and trust of Delmarva residents and visitors.”

Patti Grimes is the executive director of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation.

Summer 2024 marked the 17th season for the Freeman Arts Pavilion. In those 17 years, our young, yet ambitious, organization reached an extraordinary milestone.

Since 2008, when the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation first opened the outdoor performing arts venue, Freeman Arts has welcomed over a million visitors to experience diverse live performances.

This achievement is a testament to our growing need for the arts in the area and our impact on the greater community, as well as reflects the support and trust of Delmarva residents and visitors. In addition to enhancing the quality of life for residents and bringing them together, the Freeman Arts Pavilion is an economic engine to the area, contributing nearly $150 million to the local economy since its inception.

Our evolution in those 17 years has also been nothing short of remarkable. From welcoming our first national recording artists in 2011 to navigating the challenges of the pandemic, we’ve continuously adapted and grown. Our journey from The Freeman Stage to the Freeman Arts Pavilion marked a significant chapter in our evolution and considerable upgrades for guests.

The transformations continued in 2024, with the addition of a state-of-the-art restroom building and an enlarged Canteen, enhancing the experiences for our guests, who attended close to 70 performances this summer.

But our impact goes beyond the performances. Our Arts Access Initiative offers high-quality, diverse arts experiences at no cost to participants. It includes four programs — Arts Education, Community Partners, the Young Audience Series and free evening programming at the Freeman Arts Pavilion. Each year, more than 50% of our activities are free to attend. We reach about 30,000 students annually, at our venue and in their classrooms, through these free, live events.

As we look ahead, we’re excited to build on the success of the last 17 seasons and continue our journey of innovation and excellence. As we continue to expand both our Arts Access Initiative and look to bring new artists to the Freeman Arts Pavilion, we remain true to our vision: transforming lives through the arts. Thank you for your support in creating a vibrant arts community. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to achieve new heights together.

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.