Freeman Foundation grateful for community, connection and growth

After wrapping up our 18th season of presenting live arts experiences at Freeman Arts Pavilion, I am filled with gratitude – for our audiences, artists, volunteers, vendors, donors, staff and supporters who make it all possible. From May through September, we welcomed more than 108,000 patrons and presented 65 performances, including sold-out shows by country music artist Sam Hunt and Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Foreigner.  

In addition to providing live arts experiences for the region, Freeman Arts Pavilion continues to be an economic engine for the area, with an economic impact of about $25 million in 2025. For every $1 that is spent at Freeman Arts Pavilion, almost $2 is distributed back into our local economy, supporting small businesses, which are the backbone of Delmarva.    

While performances at the venue have concluded, our work continues year-round. Our Arts Access Initiative – which brings the arts at no cost to participants into schools and communities throughout the region – includes nearly a dozen arts education programs that students in pre-K to 12th grade will experience. These programs include multicultural performances, poetry workshops and spoken word presentations, as well as mindful, skill-building visual arts experiences.  

We’re also excited to continue our Spotlight Series this fall and winter, expanding access to diverse and inspiring arts experiences beyond the summer season with two new events: Capital Ringers presents “The Most Wonderful Time ... And a Few of Our Favorite Things” – a joyful holiday concert celebrating music and tradition – and Nanticoke Cultural Immersion: History, Art & Storytelling, a vibrant program honoring the heritage and artistry of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe. Additional Spotlight Series events are already in development for 2026, reflecting our commitment to offering a broader range of year-round arts experiences. 

With your continued support, we’re able to carry the momentum of another remarkable season into an exciting period of growth and transformation at the venue. 

Construction began on the next phase of our venue with the new permanent stage and back-of-house facility. All summer long, our guests were able to see the progress and imagine what the future of Freeman Arts will be.  

The 42-foot-tall by 100-foot-long stage, located on the south side of the current seating lawn, will feature state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems. The climate-controlled backstage facilities will support the needs of future artists. At the end of the 2025 season, we said goodbye to the mobile stage, a Stageline 320, that debuted in 2017 and hosted 561 performances. Now, with the permanent stage, we are eager to step into the next era of expanding and delivering the arts. 

Looking ahead, 2026 will bring the most impactful transformation since we introduced the new venue space five years ago, and we can’t wait to share what’s next with our patrons. Concertgoers will enjoy a new terraced lawn with a more dramatic slope, ensuring maximum visibility for everyone in the crowd, while continuing to offer a combination of reserved seating and more flexible general admission sections – as well as some new offerings, too.   

The transformation of our venue represents more than new structures; it’s also a reflection of our shared vision for the future of the arts in our region. Together, we’re building a space where creativity, connection and community will continue to thrive. Thank you for continuing to be part of our story and for helping us to create a vibrant arts community where we advance arts access for all.