Arts for All, a new program launched today, provides eligible Salt Lake City and County residents free tickets to select performances at the Eccles Theater. The program starts in February with The Sound of Music.

“The Arts for All program is an incredible way to bring world-renowned performances to more people than ever before, regardless of economic circumstances,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski.  “We want as many residents as possible to experience the thrill of a live performance at the beautiful Eccles Theater.”

The new program provides eligible residents the opportunity to receive up to four free tickets per year to select performances at the Eccles Theater. To be eligible to enter the ticket drawing, residents must receive SNAP benefits or be eligible for free or reduced school lunches.

The random ticket drawing will be conducted by Lucky Seat, a company specializing in programs like this for theaters all across the country.  ArtTix will distribute the tickets at the Eccles Theater ticket office.

Registration for the drawing is simple and can be done online at luckyseat.com/arts-for-all/soundofmusic, by calling ArtTix at 801-355-2787, or in person at the Eccles Theater ticket office.  The staff at all City and County libraries can also assist with online registration.

“Live performances, whether music, dance or theater, bring communities closer, with shared experiences and memories,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams. “The Eccles Theater is an amazing place to share and create those memories and the Arts for All program ensures that our residents have equal access to tickets for live events at the venue.”

Whittier Elementary School fifth grader Brandon Montes will be the first to see “The Sound of Music” for free through the Arts for All program.

Montes was nominated by Erica Harmon, one of his teachers. “Brandon is a bright light in the classroom–working hard, trying to do new things and making good progress,” wrote Harmon in her nomination. “He is a kind, respectful, and delightful person to be around.  My hope is he will be able to go to the Sound of Music to say thank you for being such an awesome student and for the hard work he’s put in to come this far.”

“It’s amazing,” said Montes. “I’ve never had the chance to go this far and be able to do all of this and I’ve never been to a show. It’s feels good.”

The program will offer an average of 25 tickets to select Eccles Theater events though a random drawing.  Arts for All  program is funded by a 50 cent fee on all tickets sold at the Eccles Theater. The fees and program are managed by the Salt Lake County Center for the Arts and ArtTix. All Arts for All funds collected are spent in purchasing and distributing program tickets.

Seventy-five percent of the tickets will go to Salt Lake City residents and twenty-five percent to Salt Lake County residents. Tickets are distributed based on ownership of the Eccles Theater between Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County.