Cultural Access Overview

VSA Arts of Vermont is pleased to help cultural venues throughout Vermont include more people with disabilities and other barriers to participation, such as low incomes or English as a second language. We offer that help by distributing free or reduced fee tickets to cultural venues, by assisting cultural venues to make their performances and exhibitions more accessible and by helping with program recommendations.

Want Tickets?

If you or your organization is interested in receiving free or reduced tickets to cultural venues, or if you represent a venue interested in welcoming a more diverse audience, please contact us. Tickets are limited to the amount given us by the venues. Contact VSAVT for information about availability.

VSAVT distributes tickets statewide to:

child care centers
people of all ages with disabilities and family members or support staff who accompany them
people at residential treatment centers
people receiving services for developmental disabilities and their personal assistants
seniors in assisted living centers

Accessible Theaters

For a listing of cultural venues in New England with accessibility features, please consult “Access Expressed!” where you can search by state, venue name, venue type or accessibility feature.

Recent examples of venues for which VSAVT has distributed tickets:

Why Donate Reduced Fee Tickets to Your Venue?

What we offer performing arts venues	What is required of venues to participate
Increased attendance among people with disabilities and other barriers to participation such as low incomes	At least one month’s advance notice of the availability of reduced tickets or vouchers, including how many and instructions or any limitations on their use
Promotion of your shows via our email distribution list	Descriptions of shows with times, dates, and any accessibility services available such as American Sign Language, audio description.
Distribution of reduced or free tickets or vouchers	A contact person assigned to the program.
Records of where we sent the vouchers	Wheelchair access, including bathrooms, is the minimal necessity for participation.

Participating Venues

“We received the free passes to the Shelburne Museum and within 20 minutes they were all gone. Three different groups of home care providers and staff worked together to pull off 'road trips' that may never have happened. Just to see the enthusiastic teamwork was worth a million bucks! Afterwards, the residents that reported back to me said they had fun and were impressed at how accessible it was to them. All of the residents, as well as the personal care staff for residents, were thrilled at having this opportunity."

Carol Priestly, Upper Valley Services

“What a great time! The experience at the Weston Playhouse was enjoyed by all. Thank you!”

Carole Kettle, Weston

“This program makes it possible for me to attend the cultural outings I need to keep my soul alive. Ironically, I didn’t really like jazz before going to this concert at the Discover Jazz Festival. These inexpensive tickets allowed me to broaden my musical horizons and be swept away in joyful melodies.”

Jill Allen, Chittenden County

“The performance at the Flynn deepened my son's excitement for Spanish and also provided my husband a chance to share an enjoyable music-alicious evening out with his darling little boy. The ticket stubs from this memorable night out are definitely scrapbook worthy!”

Kerri Workman, Williston

“VSAVT is an excellent partner in the arts community. Shelburne Museum enjoys participating in collaborative outreach with VSAVT that expands access to the arts and makes a real difference in the lives of people with disabilities.”

Sam Ankerson, Marketing Director, Shelburne Museum

“We want all voices attending our events. The artists we bring appreciate a diverse audience too. We especially love doing workshops with the VSA community in conjunction with performances.”

Arnie Malina, Artistic Director, Flynn Center for the Performing Arts

"Our partnership with VSAVT is important and helps fulfill our mission to make the arts assessable to all. BCA is thrilled to be able to provide fun and engaging hands-on studio arts workshops in print, clay and more. Guided by talented professional teaching artists, VSAVT participants work with clay, experiment with drawing and learn how to make unique prints!"

Melissa Walker, Education Director