Patti A. Grimes is the executive director of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation.
There is something special about the moments we share through the arts — a crowd singing along to a favorite song, a student discovering a creative interest or a family experiencing a performance together for the first time. These experiences remind us that the arts do more than entertain us. They enrich our lives, broaden our perspectives and shape the communities we call home.
In 2026, the Freeman Arts Pavilion reached an important milestone in our mission to create opportunities that elevate the human spirit. On July 8, we celebrated the grand opening of our reimagined venue, marking the culmination of years of planning, fundraising and a new chapter for live entertainment on Delmarva. As we reflect on our 19th season, we recognize both how far we have come and the possibilities this milestone creates for the years ahead.
From July through October, the Freeman Arts Pavilion welcomed 67,710 patrons to 52 performances, featuring artists whose music spans generations and genres. Highlights included a sold-out performance by James Taylor and His All-Star Band, along with Matteo Bocelli; Little Big Town; the Gin Blossoms and Blues Traveler with the Spin Doctors; Lady A; Styx; Ziggy Marley; and Ray LaMontagne. The season brought together longtime fans and new audiences for evenings filled with familiar favorites, new discoveries and the shared excitement of live music.
The venue improvements also expanded what the Freeman Arts Pavilion can offer. Our permanent stage accommodates a wider range of productions and creates new possibilities for artists performing here. New gathering spaces — including The Boardwalk and The Grove — give patrons additional places to relax and enjoy time together before a show and between sets. These enhancements preserve the open-air atmosphere that has defined the Freeman Arts Pavilion for nearly two decades, while providing a stronger foundation for future programming.
Our work extends well beyond the concert season. Through our Arts Access Initiative, we bring creative experiences to people across Delmarva, including those who might otherwise have limited access to the arts.
Education remains central to this effort. In 2026, our Arts Education program expanded into Somerset County, Maryland, joining our existing work in Sussex County, Delaware, and Worcester and Wicomico counties in Maryland. Through 13 programs and more than 40 events, we expect to reach nearly 31,000 students with arts experiences, at no cost to participants or schools, this school year. From exploring new creative interests to engaging with ideas through performance, students can experience the arts as part of their education, regardless of their school’s resources.
Free performances offer another way to make the arts accessible. Free programming accounts for nearly 50% of our overall programming, and just over 9,100 people attended free performances at the Freeman Arts Pavilion in 2026. From children’s programming on Saturday mornings to live music for audiences of all ages, these events welcome people to experience live entertainment without the cost of a ticket.
Our Community Partners program extends our outreach throughout the region. In 2026, we partnered with more than 50 nonprofits, donated more than 1,000 concert tickets and distributed 2,000 Creative Nourishment Art Kits to children in marginalized communities. We also celebrated local talent through the Locals Under the Lights: Latino Edition at Festival Hispano, now in its fourth year.
The Spotlight Series kept the arts in view throughout the year, expanding to more than 20 events from January through December. By extending our offerings beyond the traditional concert season, the series provides additional ways for patrons to engage with the arts year-round.
The benefits of a thriving arts community reach beyond the stage. The Freeman Arts Pavilion generates an estimated $25 million annually in economic impact, with nearly $2 flowing back into the local economy for every dollar spent. This activity supports local businesses and workers, while contributing to the region’s economic vitality. The arts are an important part of what makes Delmarva a vibrant place to live, work and visit.
This work would not be possible without the people who give their time, talent and resources to the Freeman Arts Pavilion. In 2026, 309 volunteers contributed 19,531 hours, representing an estimated value of $651,554.16, according to Independent Sector. We are deeply grateful for their generosity and dedication. Our year-round and seasonal staff, vendors, artists, donors, members and community partners also play essential roles in bringing performances to life and sustaining the programs that serve our region.
The opening of our reimagined venue is an important milestone, but the true measure of this new chapter will be what we accomplish together in the years ahead — the artists we welcome, the students who discover their creative potential, the patrons who share unforgettable evenings and the communities that grow stronger through access to the arts.
As we look toward the future, we remain committed to making those opportunities possible for more people across Delmarva. That work depends on the support of a community that believes that the arts are an essential part of a vibrant region. We invite you to be part of what comes next. To support the Freeman Arts Pavilion and make these experiences possible for future generations, visit freemanarts.org/p/give.
A season may end when the final performance concludes, but the impact of the arts continues — in the memories we carry, the perspectives we gain and the connections we build. That is what we are proud to celebrate in 2026 and what we look forward to creating together in the years ahead.
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