Many arts organizations – dance companies, choirs, theatre companies – are rightfully looking to reach new, more diverse audiences, ensuring that everyone has access to the arts. May we suggest removing the walls? We have found, through our free concerts and through the organizations that rent our venue, that by removing the walls and holding your event outside you open up your event to audiences you wouldn’t expect and create innovative art experiences that benefit your audiences in more ways than you know.
THE MUSIC ATTRACTS THE PEOPLE!
We are often asked about an hour before a show, “when does the audience show up?” The fact is, many audience members are attracted to the concert by the music itself! Since our venue is situated in the heart of downtown Dayton a lot happens all around us. So as soon as the PA kicks on, people at restaurants, bars, bus stops, offices, and more hear the sounds and flock to us to see what’s going on! What better way to attract new audiences than with your art itself? Outdoor events allow for the art to do the talking, the music or words the pied piper pulling new audiences from all around. Then when they arrive there is no barrier keeping them out, only a friendly space letting them know they are welcome.
AN OPEN SPACE MAKES WAYFINDING EASY
We have found that the key to attracting new audiences is making sure that everyone feels welcome and making sure that everyone feels welcome means that being in a space feels easy. Outdoor events in spaces like our venue allow for easy wayfinding. When someone asks for the restroom, we can easily point from one end of the venue to the large restroom building at the other end. Every entrance and exit are easily seen from every point on the lawn. It may not seem like much but that’s the point, it means that audiences can focus on the art. It means folks can easily find a space where they feel comfortable, in the back of the lawn by themselves or right up next to the stage on the dance floor, there is a place for everyone.
BEING OUTDOORS IS GOOD FOR HEALTH
Studies have shown that being outdoors is good for your health! Being outside is good for your physical health, reducing stress by lowering cortisol levels, muscle tension, and heart rate. And it’s good for your mental health, increasing focus and attention. By holding your event outdoors, you are benefiting your audience just as much as you are benefiting your organization by growing that audience.
Ultimately, we understand there are benefits and risks (like weather) to holding your event outdoors but having held free concerts all summer long outdoors since 2018 we believe that there is no better way to grow your audience and serve your community than to hold your events outside. And we’ve heard the same thing from all of the organizations that have rented our venue for their events. Many of them return each year to hold their events because they know the audience-building potential is second to none.
If you are interested in renting our venue for your next event you can fill out our rental application to start the quoting process.
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