Last year, in response to COVID, Bennington Museum began a popular outdoor Friday night concert series in the courtyard. The events took place from the beginning of July through Labor Day weekend and represented a beacon of hope for the community. Over the course of the summer more than 450 people visited on Friday evenings to explore the outdoor exhibits, enjoy food by the Avocado Pit, and just relax in the shade of the elm and be socially distant yet connected while listening to some great tunes.

“It reminded us all of what normal times could feel like,” says Director of Advancement, Alexina Jones. “Everyone was very respectful and followed the COVID safety protocols we had in place, but the sense of joy and excitement to be out with other people and around live music was palpable.”

This coming summer, thanks to an anonymous grant, Bennington Museum is pleased to present Concerts in the Courtyard once more, free of charge to the public.

Last year the performing artists accepted tips from the audience, but this year, thanks to this funding, the Museum will be able to offer a stipend to the artists for their services.

There are fourteen Fridays to be filled this summer, from June 4th through September 3rd. All interested performers are invited to apply via the online application prior to May 1st. Applications may be found at benningtonmuseum.org/programming/concerts-in-the-courtyard.

Ms. Jones finishes, “We are grateful to have received this grant, and we look forward to both supporting artists and continuing to provide engaging, free, cultural opportunities for our community in the coming year.”