Blumenthal Bridges Access Grants

In December 2009, Blumenthal Arts announced a commitment to expand ticket scholarships in order to provide families with limited financial resources tickets to select touring Broadway shows included in Blumenthal’s PNC Broadway Lights Series. The effort commenced with the distribution of over 250 free and highly discounted tickets to THE ALUMINUM SHOW in January 2010.

Our Education Department currently partners with several local organizations, such as Playing For Others, Catholic Charities, and Refugee Support Services and others, to identify and invite families and children to attend a performance. Prior to each performance, these organizations are given a show packet and study guide to share with their participating families.

The cost of these programs are covered by Blumenthal Performing Arts and donor partners because of the belief that sharing arts experiences with all members of our region is vital to creating a strong and vibrant community.

Beginning with Blumenthal’s 2010-2011 performance season, the Education Department has provided a unique ticket scholarship account program for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Greater Charlotte. This account allows BBBS to acquire tickets to any performance of any Blumenthal-presented show. Show selection flexibility enables BBBS to incorporate Blumenthal theater attendance with their own awards programs and as special incentives—accommodating the individual schedules and show preferences of respective “Bigs” (mentors) and “Littles” (mentees).

BBBS of Greater Charlotte frequently mentions the value of the ticket scholarship account program in relation to their mission and goals and continues to express their appreciation to BPA in numerous ways.