About 150,000 guests are expected to enjoy concerts and shows at the Freeman Arts Pavilion this year, an increase from the 108,000 who visited the Selbyville venue last year, due to a new, permanent stage that will expand seating to 4,000, Patti Grimes, executive director of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, told the Sussex County Council this week.
Presenting an update at the Tuesday, April 29, Council meeting, Grimes said since Freeman Arts Pavilion, a program of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, was founded in 2008, $150 million “has been forged into this county.”
“The patrons that have walked over our threshold have been a great contributor in our economy, and we all know Sussex County’s backbone has been small business. A ticket should not be the reason why people cannot come and enjoy the arts so that is why our arts initiative in the schools is so important,” she said, adding Freeman was founded after local businessman Joshua Freeman was killed in a helicopter crash in 2006.
“He loved the arts, athletics and the outdoors and his wife Michelle Freeman founded the Joshua Freeman Foundation that only exists with public support and the county’s support. Our vision is transforming lives through the arts and we’ve been doing that for 18 years and have transformed the arts landscape here and elevated the human spirit … We’re making big strides in economic impact and health and wellness of our community,” she said.
Every dollar donated is taken seriously to be sure “we’re connected to communities living in poverty — and that is just a fact in every community. We have over 43 non-profit organizations we partner with to make sure children and families have the opportunity to celebrate the arts and that includes transportation grants,” she said.
Grimes said the foundation currently has a $40 million capital campaign “that is now at the $30 million mark.”
“We need $10 million so our board of directors is looking for funders and financers,” she said.
Grimes invited Council to see shows at the pavilion and to join thousands of children who will be at the Pavilion to see an upcoming presentation of the classic children’s book “Charlotte’s Web.”