The "Get to Know the Show” series is being revamped. Instead of focusing on the history of shows, the program (under a new name) will become more of a community driven conversation focused on an element of the show, featuring a variety of guest presenters. Blumenthal Vice President of Education Andie Maloney says the goal is to “take the arts and to connect those dots to current life and topics, and have an educational but fun conversation around it.” In the past, these free events have only taken place in uptown Charlotte, but Maloney plans to expand into neighborhoods throughout the city to ensure greater access.

In addition to Greg Jackson’s new role as a creative consultant focused on local talent, Bluz Rogers will be joining Blumenthal’s staff as director of creative engagement with a mission to create a new set of programs that Blumenthal hasn’t previously had the time or expertise to develop. Incoming board chair Brian Cromwell will also become the first African American in the organization’s history to hold that position.

Last year’s Charlotte SHOUT festival brought Charlotte together to enjoy fun shows and experiences like this bubble extravaganza, giant white bunnies, music, acrobats, food and more. Providing experiences that serve our entire community has long been a goal of Blumenthal Performing Arts, but recent history and events show there is still much work to do to create a more equitable and just Charlotte.

Blumenthal, the cultural community and artists are committed to using their creativity and resources to advance this work.

“The demonstrations for racial justice have pointed out how much work we still have to do as a community to be fully inclusive and to make sure that everybody has the economic capacity to access the arts and to feel a full partner in community life,” says Blumenthal Performing Arts President Tom Gabbard.

Here are some of the changes happening right now at Blumenthal with the goal of moving the organization toward a more inclusive future:

will bring attention to the local talent it features in performances and visual arts as well as through its team of local artist organizers. This new brand will be a home for a series of events that Gabbard hopes will develop organically in the months to come. “We want our artists to help guide us in this,” he says.