Mission
Art-Reach is a Delaware Valley nonprofit cultural service organization that helps underserved audiences to experience arts and cultural programming and that serves as a community resource by increasing accessibility to cultural venues and events. Art-Reach's primary activities to
make the arts more accessible
to those we serve are:
- Distributing discounted tickets for admission to museums, cultural institutions and arts performances that are pledged by arts partners;
- Bringing the arts to our constituents directly, through in-facility events at participating agencies and schools;
- Serving as a resource for information on accessibility of area arts venues; and
- Partnering with both the arts and human service communities to develop ongoing programs intended to enhance individuals' quality of life.
History
In 1986 Art-Reach entered the Philadelphia arts arena with a mission that
would touch the lives of thousands of people. Our goal: to bring the arts-in all
their splendor and diversity-to audiences who otherwise might not have the
opportunity. It began with a simple premise. There were many unused tickets
for performing and visual arts events. There were also many people who never
had the opportunity to see a play or go to a museum. Why not provide a
central organization to bridge the gap between the two?
Since then, Art-Reach has obtained over 187,000 donated and discounted
tickets from over 125 ticket donors and distributed them to over 150 human
service agencies serving special-needs audiences. These audiences include
individuals with physical or mental disabilities, the elderly in need, consumers
of domestic violence or recovery programs, and clients with economic
disadvantages.
Art-Reach has received the Small Business-Arts Partnership Award and the
Special Recognition for Management Excellence Award from the Arts and
Business Council of Greater Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Council on the
Arts has recognized Art-Reach as a "Keystone of Accessibility," and
Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street proclaimed September 11, 2000, as
"Access the Arts Day" in recognition of Art-Reach and the Access Guide.
Art-Reach has also received the Suzanne Bacal Spirit of Advocacy Award
from the Mayor's Commission on People with Disabilities and the Disability
Awareness Award from Inglis House.
Our work is made possible through the generosity of area theatres, museums
and other performing and visual arts organizations that support our mission by
offering our groups access to their events and through a roster of artists who
perform at member agencies and in the community. Click on Programs for
more information on how we work to make the arts more accessible.
Art-Reach is a proud member of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. |
