Arts Services Inc. (ASI)

Research conducted by Americans for the Arts reveals that arts participation has a significant impact on community well-being. Approximately 40% of individuals feel more positive about their community after engaging in the arts. By fostering connections and reducing isolation, arts involvement encourages cooperation and strengthens community networks. And, many arts participants report feeling empowered and activated as citizens.

So why is participation in the arts inaccessible to so many Western New Yorkers?

That's the question that led to the creation of Arts Services Inc.'s Arts Access program in 2013.

What is Arts Access?

The Arts Access program was created to remove the barriers that prohibit many Western New Yorkers from experiencing the arts, including cost, transportation, language, and effort. Any individual or family who receives income-based public assistance in WNY is eligible to apply. ASI also provides free, safe, and accessible transportation through our partners at Hart Transportation to and from partner events.

Arts Access passes can be used at any of our 50+ partner organizations, all of which believe that the arts belong to everyone. Some of these incredible partner organizations include; Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Artpark, Aquarium of Niagara, Explore Buffalo, Reg Lenna Center For The Arts, Buffalo Museum of Science, Explore & More Children's Museum, Roger Tory Peterson Institute, Theater of Youth, and Irish Classical Theatre Company.

In the 2023-2024 season, nearly 3,000 Western New Yorkers from Erie, Niagara, and Chautauqua Counties have signed up for an Arts Access pass, almost doubling participation from last season!

We're asking for your support for the Arts Access Plus Lottery:

The Arts Access program relies on the generosity of our partner organizations. Partner organizations donate tickets to Arts Access with very limited compensation; they are the real champions of this incredible program!

Because tickets are donated, some partner programming may not be available to Arts Access passholders. This includes special exhibits, behind-the-scenes tours, or special guest performances.

Now in it's third year, the Arts Access Plus Lottery allows ASI a pool of funding to purchase tickets to some of these special events for passholders while also supporting the hosting partner organization.

How does it work? The Arts Access Plus Lottery provides a monthly chance to win tickets to exclusive events. Each month, ASI selects two special events for the lottery. Passholders can enter the lottery for a chance to win two free tickets! ASI then purchases the tickets on the winning passholder's behalf.

What Your Gift Means:

Let's show the world that Western New York believes that the arts belong to everyone!

We've made it our goal to raise $4,000 so that we can provide $300+ worth of tickets each month through the Arts Access Plus Lottery. If we exceed this goal, that means that we can provide even more tickets per month allowing more Arts Access passholders to take part in this initiative.

Arts Access Plus lottery winner, Anita is pictured here with her guest at the Victorian Tea Party at the Herschel Carrousel Factory Museum! (Read her event reaction below).

Why We Love Arts Access:

Arts Access passholders represent the very best of Western New York. They are parents, caretakers, guardians, neighbors, and friends who deserve to be welcomed at the arts and cultural activities and events that make our region so special. Your gift might mean a special birthday present for a child who gets to see their first live theater production, a night out for a couple who hasn't heard live music in years, or lifelong memories from a museum trip for a grandmother and her grandchildren.

“Just got home from the Lantern Tour at the Carrousel Museum. It was so much fun! I'm a native of NT so it was a wonderful history lesson, wrapped up in an enjoyable tour. Ian (Executive Director of the Carrousel Museum) was FABULOUS! He has a wonderful sense of humor so the two hour tour flew by. The best part was -- I got a ride on the amazing 1916 carousel along with my guests. Thank you so much for the tickets, Arts Access. It is an evening I won't soon forget.” - Anita, Arts Access Plus Lottery Winner

"I can’t believe that we can take the kids to meet with the penguins (at Aquarium of Niagara) and make a lifetime of memories - its a dream come true." - Lin, Arts Access Plus Lottery Winner

Our Mission: Arts Services Inc. (ASI) empowers the region’s artists and arts organizations with connections to funding, learning opportunities, and community access to the arts. We are a resource hub for the Western New York arts and cultural sector.