Card to Culture widens access to arts for transitional-assistance families

The Arlington Cultural District invites businesses to join innovative program:

Artbeat Creativity Store and Studio has announced its participation in the Mass. Cultural Council's Card to Culture, a program designed to make access to the arts accessible and affordable to individuals and families receiving transitional assistance from the commonwealth. 

"Card to Culture fits perfectly with our mission to make it easy for people to have hands-on art experiences," says Artbeat's owner, Jan Whitted in an Aug. 28 news release.

With Card to Culture, families with electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards can make sand paintings in Artbeat's Creative Adventures Studio for only $5 per person, a $10 discount over the regular price.

"Sand painting is a tactile art experience that can be enjoyed and mastered by all ages, from 3 years old to adult," says Whitted. "Families with EBT cards can bring up to four people to have this unique art experience at the reduced price."

Artbeat is the first here

Artbeat is the first of Arlington's many cultural organizations to participate in the Card to Culture program.

More than 150 organizations statewide have signed up to offer free or discounted access to their cultural events and venues. The Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the Dept. of Transitional Assistance (DTA) are promoting these cultural opportunities to the 1-in-8 Massachusetts residents who are served by DTA.

"Our goal in the cultural district is to broaden cultural awareness and increase attendance at cultural events," says Andrea Nicolay, director of libraries who also coordinates the Arlington Cultural District Managing Partnership.

"It is important to invite and retain the socioeconomic diversity that enriches any community. Often, cultural activities are the first to be sacrificed when budgets are stretched. Card to Culture makes it possible for more families to enjoy our cultural offerings."

All town businesses encouraged

The Arlington Cultural District Managing Partnership encourages all businesses in Arlington, both for-profit and not-for-profit, to find ways to engage in the program. Businesses can find more information posted on the Arlington Chamber of Commerce website, arlcc.org, and can sign up at www.mass.gov/cardtoculture.

Artbeat Creativity Store and Studio is at 212A Mass. Ave., near the Capitol Theatre. The Arlington Cultural District spans a walkable stretch along Mass. Ave. from East Arlington’s Capitol Square to the Civic Block in Arlington Center. Find more information here >>

 This news anouncement with a pitch was published Thursday, Aug. 29, 2018.