We’ve all heard the expression: It takes a village to raise a child. Well, the same can be said for the growth of the Santa Barbara Bowl. As a non-profit, we receive significant help and support from our community. Without the help of our valued donors, in this case, The Mosher Foundation, the Bowl would not be able to give back to the community.

The Mosher Foundation offers grants and support to non-profits throughout Santa Barbara specifically providing assistance to groups in the fields of education, health care, and the performing arts — institutions they believe will have the most positive impact within the Santa Barbara community.

Their support to the Santa Barbara Bowl began with a Capital Grant in 2006 and continued when they funded and encouraged the development of the Community Ticket Subsidy program in 2014.

The Community Ticket Subsidy program began with a trial run during the latter part of the 2013 Bowl concert season. The program offers a complete Bowl experience to local students and families regardless of their economic status. The 2013 program was a phenomenal success, and continued in 2014 and now for the 2015 concert season.

During the 2014 concert season, 341 tickets and food vouchers were provided to local foster families, junior high and high school students. These vouchers allowed each attendee to see a show of their choosing for only $5. To ensure the right audiences were targeted for this program the Bowl collaborated with local institutions including:

• Dos Pueblos High School
• Girls Rock SB
• Hear the Music Live
• iCAN
• JAMS
• One Step a la Vez (Santa Paula juvenile correction program)
• San Marcos High School Instrumental Music
• Santa Barbara Education Foundation
• Santa Barbara High School Theatre
• Santa Barbara High School Journalism
• Santa Barbara Youth Music Academy
• Teen Insider Project
• The Turner Foundation

On average, there were a total of 14 tickets given per show for 24 of the shows in the 2014 season. The average ticket price was $87, a price that otherwise would stifle the ability of these community members to attend. With this program, the Bowl not only provided a live-event experience for these families, but also facilitated a new musical and educational experience. Youths were encouraged to consider the music and the concert industry as a potential new career path.

The Bowl is committed to sustaining the Community Ticket Subsidy throughout 2015. We look forward to meeting our next partner to keep this program growing!