Since its founding in 2007, the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation has been dedicated to enriching the Delmarva region through the power of the arts. Created to honor the legacy of Josh Freeman, a business leader and philanthropist with a deep belief in community, the Foundation was built on the idea that the arts should be accessible to everyone.
That idea came to life with the launch of The Freeman Stage at Bayside — a small, covered, wooden stage on a patch of green grass in the Bayside community in the summer of 2008. What started as a modest summer performance series quickly grew into a beloved community hub, welcoming local families, national touring artists, school groups and thousands of arts lovers every season.
Over time, as our programs and audiences expanded, so did our vision. In 2020, while much of the performing arts world went dark, the organization adapted and safely welcomed more than 11,000 guests during a shortened pandemic season. This bold resilience marked a turning point. In 2021, The Freeman Stage became Freeman Arts Pavilion, reflecting both a physical transformation and a renewed commitment to our mission of advancing arts access for all through performance, education, and advocacy.
Supported by a phased expansion plan and a Capital Campaign, Freeman Arts Pavilion is evolving into a premier outdoor performance venue with space for about 4,000 guests, state-of-the-art production capabilities and expanded amenities for artists and audiences alike. This growth ensures that our impact — already reaching more than 130,000 individuals each year — will only continue to deepen.
Through our core programs, Freeman Arts and the Arts Access Initiative, we offer a diverse range of live performances, arts education experiences, and community-based programming across Delmarva. Whether on our stage, in schools, or at community centers, our work is driven by one goal: to make the arts a meaningful and inclusive part of everyday life.
From a simple stage to a regional arts leader, our history is a story of vision, perseverance and a steadfast belief in the power of the arts to bring people together.