Blumenthal Arts

Guests are LOVING the unique space-themed merch in our Blume Studios MKT gift shop! Be sure to check it out before/after your Space Explorers: The Infinite launch! #DidYouKnow Local artists designed a lot of the items available for purchase, including Linda Joy Weinstein, Melissa Stutts, Chris Hood, Joanna Henry, Jen Hill, Zulynette, Krystallin Loudermilk, Ali Loncar, Elizabeth Palmisano, and Docklands Design! To date, more that 15% of the MKT’s total sales are attributed to these local artists! REMEMBER, the Blume Studios MKT, Stargazer Bar and Café, the Gaia/Groundswell/ Moonman art installations and more are FREE and open to the public to explore during operating hours!

BREAKING NEWS! We are excited to announce award-winning journalist Kristen Miranda will join Blumenthal Arts as our Director of Community Impact and Partnership! She will lead the effort to publicly share the positive impact of Blumenthal Arts in the community and the essential role charitable support plays in fueling our high impact programs. "I am honored Tom Gabbard and the team at Blumenthal Arts have put their trust in me to tell the organization's story and encourage support of its initiatives,” said Miranda. “Blumenthal Arts has a stellar reputation across the Carolinas, the country, and around the world. There are so many programs Blumenthal Arts provides that are truly changing lives, and I can't wait to share those things with all of you in our community and beyond." “Kristen has been an incredible partner to us as a producer and host at WBTV,” said Blumenthal Arts President and CEO Tom Gabbard. “Her enthusiasm for the arts, combined with her love for Charlotte, will be a great asset.” For more information, visit: https://lnkd.in/gaXKQMEJ

🚀 Over the weekend, I visited the International Space Station (ISS), or at least I felt like I did. "The Infinite" is a spectacular immersive experience by Blumenthal Arts in Charlotte. It's a shining example of how the lines between the physical and digital are blurring, and the possibilities are truly endless. Thrilling space walks, incredible perspective of sunrises and sunsets happening down below on earth's surface, inspiring views hovering over the beautiful blue spinning planet, being right next to real astronauts in real moments in time as they discuss the issues of the day or perform tasks for work and play. All such unique perspectives that would not be possible for the vast majority of the world to see until now. Sure we've all seen videos of these things, but it's just different when you're immersed in it at this level of technology. With advancements in tech and growing consumer adoption, we can expect to see even more innovative and transformative applications in the years to come. Brands that embrace this will be able to connect with audiences like never before. What are you most excited about when it comes to immersive experiences? Share your thoughts in the comments below! #ImmersiveExperiences #AR #VR #FutureofTechnology #Innovation #TheInfinite #BrandInnovation

Attention Charlotte area Elementary & Middle School teachers! We’re partnering with our friends at iTheatrics for another FREE professional development experience! Whether you’re a new or veteran teacher, don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to learn best practices for producing a student-adapted musical and teaching musical theater skills to K-8 students! Join us at our Stage Door Theater from 9am – 4pm either November 10th or November 11th (Veteran’s Day – schools closed). There’s NO COST to register and we’ll provide lunch, a parking voucher, a complimentary copy of the iTheatrics Method textbook and CEU credit hours (if needed)! To register, visit: https://lnkd.in/gWt_uBTH *Since space is limited for each day, there is a max registration of 2 teachers per school/organization on a first come, first served registration until we hit capacity.

“There are no words to explain it… it’s like nirvana almost.” The reviews keep pouring in and audiences/astronauts are LOVING Space Explorers: The Infinite on Stage 1 at Blume Studios! 🚀 EXPERIENCE this out-of-this-world journey IRL and book your mission to space today! Visit: https://lnkd.in/gWVEgrEj

Looking for a hands-on work experience and internship program in the field of arts administration and the performing arts? Blumenthal Arts is officially accepting spring internship applications! This is a fully paid opportunity for college and graduate students and recent college grads to work alongside, learn from and network with our top-notch staff in various departments. Deadline to apply is November 2nd. For more details and to access the application packet, visit: https://lnkd.in/gGqTjdCM

Blumenthal Arts announced today that, due to overwhelming demand, Space Explorers: THE INFINITE will extend through the end of the year. The captivating immersive experience that launched Blumenthal Arts’ new Blume Studios will play through January 5, 2025. A new block of tickets is on sale now! Visit: https://lnkd.in/gNzDaE9S The breathtaking space journey inspired by NASA missions aboard the International Space Station is the first of its kind in the new Blume Studios, Blumenthal Arts’ new creative hub for the Queen City and beyond where art, technology, and community converge. “Thanks to the overwhelmingly popular response to Space Explorers: THE INFINITE, we’re lucky to be able to hold on to the show a little longer” said Blumenthal Arts President and CEO Tom Gabbard. “Our guest surveys have shown exceptionally high scores that we only see periodically for favorites like Hamilton. Guests typically only have time to see 25–30% of the content available in the exhibit per visit, so they can return and have an entirely different experience. Extending through January 5 makes it available over the holidays. Since the show has only been in a handful of cities, people can share with visiting family and friends just how cool Charlotte is.” THE INFINITE has been significant in welcoming new faces to the arts center. For 37% of ticket buyers, THE INFINITE represents their first time at a Blumenthal Arts event. For more information on this exciting announcement, visit: https://lnkd.in/gKtAuGFF

Blumenthal’s President and CEO Tom Gabbard has been selected as an inaugural member of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Board of Visitors. The board, composed of well-recognized leaders and key influencers from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds, advocates for the University’s mission, consults the leadership to ensure alignment of its strategies, provides valuable feedback on key initiatives, and communicates broadly about the University’s impact. “UNC Charlotte is a critical asset to our region and nation” stated Blumenthal CEO Tom Gabbard. “I’m proud of their growing prominence and impact on so many fronts. It’s an honor to be part of this inaugural group to learn more, share news of their many achievements, and develop new partnerships.” The board held its first meeting earlier this month with a session that highlighted the University’s growing research enterprise. We look forward to sharing more about this new partnership!

Blumenthal's L.E.A.P. (Literacy Engagement through Arts Program) is BACK in a BIG way this school year, serving a record 225 students from three CMS Title I schools – Mint Hill Elementary, Thomasboro Academy, and Walter G. Byers Elementary! L.E.A.P uses the magic of theater to enhance critical literacy, public speaking and creative writing skills for 4th and 5th grade students with a focus on Title I schools. The 20-week program will culminate this spring with our beloved L.E.A.P. Day celebration where each class will have the opportunity to perform a rehearsed skit on Blumenthal’s iconic Knight Theater stage! THANK YOU to our L.E.A.P. sponsors ‪Julianne Marley, Pinnacle, Elliott Davis, and Carolina Panthers Charities for making this transformative program possible! As a not-for-profit organization, we depend on generous contributions to keep opportunities like this available for students. Make a gift today to help prepare our students for the future! Visit: https://lnkd.in/gp4c62MK

We are so honored to have retired astronaut Joan Higginbotham, the third African-American woman to go to space (who lives right here in Charlotte), as our "Honorary Ambassador" for our engagement of Space Explorers: The Infinite NOW PLAYING on Stage 1 at Blume Studios! Before opening our exhibition, we had the exciting opportunity to record an educational video with Joan that we shared with area students who are joining us this fall for field trips to Blume Studios to see Space Explorers: The Infinite as part of our “moon shot” mission to raise funds to bring 14,000 students to the space! That number includes every single Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools 6th grader – all studying earth science and space as part of their ‘24-’25 academic curriculum! She talked about her thrilling journey to space, her career with NASA, offered advice to students interested in a career with NASA or other scientific fields and so much more! We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as the students are! We’re about halfway to our financial goal of bringing 14,000 students to Space Explorers: The Infinite! For more information on helping us make this mission possible, visit: https://lnkd.in/gSXF8tzD