Making the Arts Accessible: AIL Supports Amherst Community Theater
At Amherst Innovative Living, we love finding meaningful ways to invest in our community - especially when that support creates joy, connection, and opportunity for families across the region. This month, we’re excited to share a recent community donation that helped make local theater more accessible to those who may not otherwise have the chance to attend.
Supporting the Arts Through Access
Amherst Innovative Living proudly donated to Amherst Community Theater and their Theater Access Program, an initiative designed to provide free tickets to those who need them most. Through this program, tickets are distributed through schools to low-income families, as well as to Big Brothers Big Sisters and clients of multiple United Way agencies.
This is exactly the kind of community-centered effort we love to support - one that removes barriers and helps ensure the arts can be enjoyed by everyone.
A Special Opportunity for Big Brothers Big Sisters Matches
One of the groups impacted by this donation was Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County (BBBSHC) - an organization that knows firsthand how powerful shared experiences can be.
As BBBSHC shared:
“A Theatrical January: The Wizard of Oz. Every year Amherst Community Theater puts on a musical production in January and offers tickets to our matches. This year 5 matches were able to take advantage of this fun opportunity with their Littles!”
We’re thrilled that this donation helped create a memorable experience for Bigs and Littles - a simple night out that can strengthen relationships and build lifelong memories.
Why Big Brothers Big Sisters Matters
Kids today need mentors now more than ever. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County supports children ages 6 to 18 by matching them with caring adult mentors (“Bigs”) in meaningful one-to-one relationships that help ignite confidence, build skills, and foster potential.
Their mission says it best:
Create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
Whether someone gets involved as a donor, mentor, sponsor, advocate, or volunteer, BBBSHC continues to strengthen families and communities through lasting connection.
About Amherst Community Theater
Amherst Community Theater has been bringing high-quality musical theater to life since 1993, welcoming children, adults, and families to participate both onstage and behind the scenes. Each January, they present a full-scale musical at Bowker Auditorium at UMass, featuring an impressive cast, elaborate sets, live orchestra, choreography, and stunning costumes. They also partner with Missoula Children’s Theatre each spring to offer a week-long children’s theater program. Supported entirely by volunteers and donations (with no town funding), Amherst Community Theater relies on community support to keep this tradition thriving.
Why AIL Supported This
At Amherst Innovative Living, we believe that access matters - whether it’s access to resources, relationships, or meaningful community experiences. Supporting Amherst Community Theater’s Theater Access Program aligns with our values of inclusion, opportunity, and strengthening community ties.
We’re honored to play a small part in helping families, youth, and mentors experience the magic of live theater.
Want to Learn More or Support These Organizations?
To learn more about Amherst Community Theater or contribute to their Theater Access Program, we encourage you to visit their website and explore ways to get involved.
And if you’d like to support the life-changing work of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County, there are many ways to make an impact - from becoming a mentor to donating or advocating.