The McIalwain-ECA Access Program at Edmonds Center for the Arts
Ensuring that our stage and audience reflect the richness of our community.
From the very beginning, ECA has been a community-built and community-sustained organization. For more than 20 years, the diverse voices, stories, and experiences of this community have not just been welcomed—they’ve been at the center of everything we do.
The Mclalwain-ECA Access Program carries forward our founding Executive Director Joe McIalwain’s vision: that the arts can be a powerful force for connection, equity, and belonging—for every person, at every stage of life. That belief continues to guide us today.
At its core, the Access Program is about ensuring that our stage and our audience truly reflect the richness of the community around us—breaking down barriers so that more people can see themselves not only in the seats, but in the stories being told on stage.
The Three Pillars of the McIalwain-ECA Access Program
Hosting Scholarships for Rental Events
Through the McIalwain–ECA Access Program, Edmonds Center for the Arts offers Hosting Scholarships that help eligible nonprofit and public organizations access ECA’s stage for community events, performances, and programs.
These scholarships are supported by donor contributions and are designed to reduce financial barriers for organizations whose work aligns with ECA’s mission to expand access to the arts and cultural experiences.
Hosting Scholarships are not automatic discounts, but a limited scholarship program intended to support events that serve the broader community.
Scholarships are limited and subject to availability and application approval. Application submissions do not guarantee scholarship funding.
Arts Access Program
ECA is committed to expanding the reach and impact of our performances by actively engaging students, teachers, and community members of all ages through Education & Community Engagement. Our Arts Access Program offers Arts for Everyone and the Aunt Bette’s Bus Fund to increase access to the performing arts through reduced ticket prices and transportation subsidies. ECA has the opportunity to break down barriers that limit access to quality performing arts experiences which is often limited by economic constraints, geographical distance, and lack of resources to ensure that the transformative benefits of the performing arts are available to everyone.
Since 2023, this work has helped more than 10,000 students experience live performance—70% of all students we’ve served—through $2 and free tickets. And with support from Aunt Bette’s Bus Fund, we’ve partnered with more than 15 schools to remove transportation barriers, because access should never depend on income or circumstance.
Universal Access/DEI Improvements/Initiatives/Projects
ECA wants to create a culture where staff, partners, Board members, and volunteers fully embody inclusion, diversity, equity & accessibility (IDEA) to better advance our mission and the performing arts industry. Increasing accessibility to our performing arts center is essential for promoting cultural vibrancy, fostering community engagement, supporting individual growth, and enhancing the quality of life for all members of society. Universal Access/DEI related improvements/initiatives and projects reflect a commitment to equity, inclusion, and the belief that the arts should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their differences or challenges.
On campus, thanks to our universal access initiatives, we’ve made meaningful investments in ADA-accessible doors, assistive listening devices, and more welcoming spaces for all.
