Q: When will the Joshua M. Freeman Center for the Arts open?
A: The Joshua M. Freeman Foundation team has been doing due diligence and feasibility studies related to an arts center for almost two years. During this time we have continued to learn about the needs and interests of the community – and what it will take to run a successful arts center. So, once the market is right, we know we have the support of the community, our fundraising efforts are working and we are certain we have the right plan for the Joshua M. Freeman Center for the Arts we will begin constructed – and this milestone will be widely communicated. In the meantime, we are proud to offer the community nearly 50 performances (most of them free) that run May – October and this year we are offering two weeks of art camp for kids.
Q: Since the Stage café and bathrooms building are opening does that mean that there will be no arts center?
A: No. During our inaugural season we learned what it takes to operate a stage. During the Winter months we brainstormed ideas for improving the experience of our audience members – and we determined that building permanent bathroom facilities would vastly improve the experience of our guests. We are still working to determine the best timing and plan for the Joshua M. Freeman Center for the Arts which we will build in the coming years.
Q: Is the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation Center for the Arts really going to be built?
A: Absolutely. But what we don’t know yet is what it will really look like. The actual building size, features and amenities will largely depend on what the community and our audiences are interested in and demand. We have learned a great deal from operating The Freeman Stage and we will continue to assess the right timing and venue for a community arts center.
Q: I’ve heard that there are other arts centers being built in the area, does that mean that the Joshua M. Freeman Center for the Arts will be put on hold/stopped?
A: No, we will move ahead with the Joshua M. Freeman Center for the Arts regardless of other arts centers that might be constructed. We look at this as being a great opportunity to foster a new arts movement in the Mid-Atlantic. We applaud and collaborate with any neighboring arts facilities – and our plans and building would likely reflect any complimentary features/venues that would make the entire arts community better.
Q: Why is the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation doing fundraising -- doesn’t the Freeman Foundation have a lot of money/assets?
A: The Joshua M. Freeman Foundation is a public charity – and this means we are required to raise money to support our operations. We do this through individual donations, sponsorships of The Freeman Stage and participation in/sponsorship of The Joshua M. Freeman Golf Tournament. In addition, this year we will be having “ticketed” fundraising events that will also support the mission of the JMF Foundation. At the same time, the Carl M. Freeman Foundation – a 50 year old grant making organization – continues to be a private family Foundation that gives grants throughout the Mid Atlantic region.
Q: Why is the Freeman Stage charging for performances this year? Doesn’t the Freeman Foundation have enough money to operate free performances?
A: During our extensive due diligence work related to the Joshua M. Freeman Center for the Arts we have learned that if community arts centers don’t have broad based community support (financial, volunteer and otherwise) they fail. So, this year we are testing ticket price points and the value that we bring to the community. This will be for the musicals only – and the remaining 40 performances will still be free and open to the public. But, we must begin to build a base of patrons and arts supporters if we are to be successful in the years to come.
Q: When the building is constructed what will actually be included in the arts center?
A: The Joshua M. Freeman Center for the Arts will be a functional, creative and thoughtfully designed space – that meets the needs of the community and our financial requirements. We hope to offer indoor theatre space, classrooms and meeting space.