Freeman begins 15th year of arts in Sussex

The Freeman Arts Pavilion is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year with a full lineup of national recording artists and local acts.

Joshua M. Freeman Foundation Executive Director Patti Grimes provided an update on Freeman's success to Sussex County Council during its April 26 meeting.

The foundation was founded by Michelle Freeman to honor her husband, Josh Freeman, who was tragically killed in a 2007 helicopter crash.

Grimes said even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Freeman was able to offer entertainment. “During the pandemic, the arts were still alive in Sussex County. We were one of only a dozen venues in the United States to provide live arts safely,” she said.

In 2021, she said, 81,000 patrons attended shows at the stage in the Bayside Resort Golf Club community near Fenwick Island. In addition, she said, more than 47,000 school children received arts kits with activities provided in English and Spanish during the 2020-21 school year.

“We are back now with live arts in the schools,” she said, adding programs are planned in the Seaford, Cape Henlopen, Delmar and Indian River school districts.

Lineup includes free entertainment

“The first season in 2008 was a social experiment. We found out that people not only wanted it, it was necessary,” Grimes said.

In 2008, Freeman featured 43 performances attended by more than 9,000 people.

Grimes said the Freeman success could not have been achieved without a small army of volunteers numbering more than 280. That has grown from three volunteers during the first year.

Grimes said after 15 years, the goal remains the same – to elevate the human spirit.

She said at least 30 percent of the performances each year are free and open to the public. “We want all to have access to the arts,” she said. That includes a series of free Saturday performances designed for children.

She also said that transportation to the venue is an issue, so the foundation provides free tickets and transportation grants to community organizations.

“We also provide free cultural programming as we meet the changing diversity of the county's population,” she said.

Grimes said the Freeman Arts Pavilion has grown into an economic engine for Sussex County. She said a University of Delaware study showed the economic impact to the county has totaled more than $97 million over the past 14 years, including a record $18 million in 2021.

Plans underway for $27 million venue

This year, she said, the foundation plans to hire a community engagement manager and expand parking capability with satellite locations. In addition, Freeman plans to expand its Arts Access Initiative.

A capital campaign will start this summer for construction of a new $27 million, 4,000-seat, 9-acre, state-of-the-art venue with 1,000 covered seats; state-of-the-art sound, lighting and video capabilities; an expanded concession and dining area; an artist's dressing room and production space. Construction is expected to be completed in 2025-26.

The venue received site-plan approval from Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission in 2020.

A new name for venue

Last year was the inaugural season for the Freeman Arts Pavilion (formerly the Freeman Stage), a new venue for the nonprofit. The new layout features a grand green, an expanded main entrance and a lower lawn to enjoy pre-performance food and beverages. The expansive green allows for additional restrooms and beverage stations.

Updates include paved and expanded 12-foot walkways throughout the venue; adding a third, direct exit from the grand green; locating additional concessions and restroom areas on the grand green; moving the box office to the main gate; regrading and irrigation on the grand green; and new ingress features that will expedite entry.

This season will also feature the return of fixed-seating events. Because the grand green is more expansive, this layout will have more room between seats and rows. Many events will have a combination of fixed seating and general admission, where patrons bring their own chairs, Grimes said.

Lineup is star-studded

This year's lineup is one of the most star-filled in Freeman's history, including K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Cole Swindell, Jake Owen, Patti LaBelle, Bonnie Raitt, Pat Benatar, Sheryl Crow, Little River Band, Jackson Brown, Crowded House, Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs and Lyle Lovett. The lineup also includes Pink Floyd, Elton John and Billy Joel, The Eagles, Bruce Springsteen, ABBA and Beatles tribute bands.

Go to freemanarts.org for a complete schedule and ticket information.