“U.S. museums and symphonies are supplying food for the mind in free admission for workers affected by the longest partial federal government shutdown in U.S. history,” reports Barbara Goldberg in Sunday’s (1/19) Reuters. “With the shutdown in its fourth week with no end in sight, cultural institutions from Massachusetts to Oregon are moving to help unpaid federal workers spend some of their otherwise idle hours with loved ones enjoying art, science history or music. Museums in at least 27 states, along with at least 19 orchestras, offered free admission to federal workers who have unpaid time on their hands…. Symphonies from Boston to Akron, Ohio, offered no-cost concert tickets to ease the stress of wondering when your next paycheck will be issued. ‘Great music has the power to inspire, reduce stress and ease burdens,’ said Joseph Giunta, who conducts the Des Moines Symphony. ‘We invite federal employees to join us as our guests for an upcoming Masterworks concert,’ said Giunta, noting each worker was offered two tickets which otherwise sell for $20 apiece or more.”
As of Tuesday morning, January 22, Hub editors have received announcements about free tickets for furloughed federal government employees from the following orchestras: Akron Symphony Orchestra (OH), Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, Bangor Symphony Orchestra (ME), Boise Philharmonic (ID), Boston Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Des Moines Symphony (IA), Erie Philharmonic (PA), Florida Orchestra (St. Petersburg), Georgia Symphony (Marietta, GA), Grand Rapids Symphony (MI), Hartford Symphony Orchestra (CT), Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Omaha Symphony, Orlando Philharmonic, Philly Pops (PA), Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Symphony (VA), Seattle Symphony, Spokane Symphony (WA), Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra (FL), and Topeka Symphony Orchestra (KS).
Posted January 22, 2019
