Open Doors: Blumenthal Arts Launches Initiative to Expand Access to the Arts

CHARLOTTE, NC – Blumenthal Arts is bringing together a broad range of programs and resources under Open Doors, a new umbrella initiative designed to make it easier for people in the Charlotte community to experience the arts.

 

Open Doors brings together opportunities to address practical barriers that can keep people from participating, including ticket costs, access to performances and connections to arts education and community organizations.

 

The initiative is also supported through STAGE CRAFT, a craft beer created in collaboration with Blumenthal Arts and Charlotte-based Town Brewing Co. STAGE CRAFT is an American Lager with the perfect crisp finish, made with 100% North Carolina-grown grain and corn and will be sold exclusively at Blume Studios. A percentage of every STAGE CRAFT beer purchased helps support Open Doors, creating another way for the community to help make the arts more accessible.

 

“Access to the arts has always been an important part of our mission, and that means looking at all of the things that can keep someone from participating,” said Tom Gabbard, president and CEO of Blumenthal Arts. “Sometimes it’s the cost of a ticket. Sometimes it’s not knowing where to start or having the right connection in the community. Our job is to keep looking for ways to remove those barriers and make sure Blumenthal Arts is serving the community as broadly as we can.”

 

Open Doors includes several ways for audiences to attend performances at a lower cost:

• The Draw: Blumenthal Arts’ digital lottery offers discounted ticket opportunities to select performances. The program gives audiences another way to access performances that may otherwise be outside their budget.
• Club Blume Teens: Free for students in grades 9–12, Club Blume combines discounted tickets to select performances with pre-show mixers where teens can connect and enjoy complimentary food and beverages.
• The Family Connection Series: The series offers special ticket opportunities and kid-focused in-theater experiences, giving families more ways to attend performances together. Upcoming family events can be found HERE.
• Student Rush: Eligible students can purchase discounted tickets to select performances with a valid student ID.

 

In addition, the initiative connects students, educators, nonprofit leaders and community members through programs that extend beyond the theater.

 

• Broadway Bridges: Broadway Bridges helps teachers and chaperones bring students in grades 9–12 to touring Broadway productions through discounted group tickets and seating designed for school groups.
• Community Leaders Network: The invitation-based network brings together leaders from Charlotte-area nonprofit organizations for quarterly gatherings focused on building relationships, sharing resources and identifying opportunities to work together around community needs.
• Arts Educator Network: The network gives educators opportunities for professional development, networking, pre-show workshops, social gatherings and special ticket opportunities, connecting teachers with colleagues and Blumenthal Arts. Apply to the Arts Educator Network HERE.
• Blumenthal Bridges Access Grants: Blumenthal Arts partners with local nonprofit organizations to provide grants that can help cover performance tickets, workshops and more for individuals and families facing financial barriers to arts participation.

 

Accessibility services are also available across its venues and select performances to help guests fully participate in the arts. Services may include sign language interpretation, audio description, assistive listening devices and additional accommodations. Select Broadway performances include scheduled Sign-Interpreted and Audio-Described performances. More information on accessibility services HERE.

 

 

“Blumenthal Arts has a role to play in making Charlotte a place where the arts are part of how people live, learn and spend time together,” said Gabbard. “Open Doors reflects that responsibility and the many ways we can create those opportunities, whether someone is walking through our doors for the first time or has been coming for years.”

 

To learn more about Open Doors and explore the initiative's offerings and resources, visit: BlumenthalArts.org/OpenDoors

 

MORE ABOUT BLUMENTHAL ARTS

Located in the heart of uptown Charlotte, Blumenthal Arts is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit performing arts organizations, dedicated to enriching lives and building community through the power of the arts. Since opening in 1992, Blumenthal has presented the Carolinas’ largest Broadway season alongside concerts, comedy, dance, and immersive experiences across its four theaters (Belk Theater, Booth Playhouse, Stage Door Theater and Knight Theater). The organization engages more than 150,000 students each year through education and access programs, such as The Blumey Awards. It supports local and emerging artists and invests in the development of new works, earning 13 Tony Awards for its co-productions. Hosting more than 1,000 events annually and welcoming millions of guests since its founding, Blumenthal Arts continues to shape Charlotte’s cultural landscape and strengthen the region’s creative economy. For more information, visit blumenthalarts.org.