Philadelphia, Sep. 5 – The Woodlands Trust for Historic Preservation is the latest arts and cultural organization to partner with the nonprofit Art-Reach to create more accessible programming.
The Woodlands is excited to be added to the list of ACCESS Card Partners, an initiative launched by Art-Reach in 2014. ACCESS is a public initiative that empowers individuals and families in low-income households and folks with disabilities to engage with arts and culture in the Greater Philadelphia region at an affordable rate.
The Woodlands made the decision to become an ACCESS Partner to promote the cemetery’s low-cost and free public programming to an expanded network. The 54-acre green space has proudly offered free and pay-what-you-can pricing for public events to the Philadelphia community for over a decade. This partnership aligns with The Woodland’s mission to enrich the lives of area residents and visitors by serving as a hub for activities and educational programs that interpret, celebrate, and make available to the public The Woodlands' historic buildings and tranquil green space. Whether you’re exploring our 54 acres, attending a public program, or a guest at an event, we aim to create a safe and welcoming space.
Individuals with an ACCESS Card can attend various arts and cultural organizations including the Franklin Institute, Longwood Gardens, the Wilma Theater, the Please Touch Museum, and more for $2 per person. Thousands of ACCESS Cardholders engage with the program every month, and Cardholders can bring up to four people with them for their visit. In 2018, Art-Reach expanded the program to include performance and live arts venues, making it the first program of its kind in the country to unite the museum and theater communities in a comprehensive engagement strategy. ACCESS provides opportunities by removing the financial barrier to access for many in the area. One ACCESS Cardholder, when asked about the program, said, “I love the arts but can rarely afford to attend events. Since I’m not eligible for Medicaid etc., but on a fixed disability income this is a great opportunity.”
Check out the upcoming events happening at The Woodlands by visiting the Events Calendar.
ABOUT ART REACH
Art-Reach creates, advocates for, and expands accessible opportunities in the arts so the full spectrum of society is served. Founded in 1986, four years prior to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Art Reach has a mission to connect individuals with disabilities to the arts. Since then, Art Reach has created groundbreaking programs that remove barriers to access and innovative accessible programming. Their programs serve over 200,000 people a year in Greater Philadelphia, providing education and professional development opportunities to cultural professionals. Art Reach believes that Art is a Human Right and we are here to make the arts accessible to everyone.
ABOUT THE WOODLANDS
The Woodlands' 54-acre undulating landscape is at once a one-of-a-kind 18th-century English pleasure garden, a 19th-century rural cemetery, and a modern green oasis for its neighbors in bustling University City and West Philadelphia. The Woodlands was designated a National Historic Landmark District in recognition of its unique history and rich resources.