IDEA: Current Initiatives
ACCESSIBILITY
The Hult Center’s promise to bring artists and audiences together is reflected in many ways, including removing barriers and providing access to our performing arts experiences for all patrons.
Accessible Seating
Every performance in the Soreng Theater and the Silva Hall offers accessible seating options for patrons with limited mobility. Accessible seats may be removed for mobility devices or left in place, and adjacent or nearby companion seats are available. All levels of the building can be reached by elevator apart from balcony of the Soreng Theater. However, elevator access does not guarantee the absence of stairs to a seat. Please contact the box office at 541-682-5000 to determine the accessible seating options that best meet your needs.
Bariatric Seating (large, armless chairs)
Bariatric chairs accommodate the needs of all individuals, regardless of size or weight, and are available upon request. When buying tickets, choose accessible seating options (removable seats) and then contact Louise Thomas-Vails, our Front of House Manager at 541-682-5307 or lthomas@eugene-or.gov. We will provide a larger, armless chair in that space for your comfort.
Accessible Parking and Drop-Off Lanes Accessible parking spots in the Hult Parking Garage are adjacent to the elevator, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Event parking is $6 per car. (Free with a handicap placard.) Two drop-off areas allow guests to easily enter the Center:
- The third level in the Hult Parking Garage has the sky bridge connecting the garage directly to the Hult Center without stairs.
- The north side of the Hult Center is accessed from the 6th Avenue turn-out to a ramped entrance.
Assistive Listening Devices
Patrons who would benefit from amplified and clarified sound may exchange an ID card for complimentary use of an Assistive Listening Device in the Coat Room across from the elevator on the Lobby Level. To learn more about the resources above or to request additional services that would make your visit more enjoyable, please contact Louise Thomas-Vails, our Front of House Manager at 541-682-5307 or lthomas@eugene-or.gov
Sign Language Interpretation
If you require ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation for an event, please contact Louise Thomas-Vails, our Front of House Manager at 541-682-5307 or lthomas@eugene-or.gov, at least 30 days in advance to request this service for a particular performance.
Courtesy Wheelchairs
Staff members and Arts Ambassadors at exterior doors can provide complimentary wheelchairs for use before a performance, during intermission, and after a performance. Hult Center staff and volunteers are unable to lift, carry or otherwise physically assist with transferring a patron from a wheelchair to a seat. Hult Center Staff are also unable to administer medicine, aid in the restroom, or perform other personal attendant services.
Concierge Service
For patrons who require additional assistance navigating the Hult Center, we provide Concierge Arts Ambassadors at no cost. Please contact Louise Thomas-Vails, our Front of House Manager at 541-682-5307 or lthomas@eugene-or.gov, to discuss the need as soon as possible, ideally within three weeks of attending a performance and an Arts Ambassador can be available to assist.
Restrooms
The Hult Center has accessible restroom options on the Lower, Lobby, and Concourse Level restrooms.
- Non-Gender Specific Restrooms
The Lower-Level restrooms are non-gender specific to accommodate all patrons. - Changing Tables
Lobby and Concourse restrooms have infant changing tables.
Service Animals
Service animals are welcome inside the venue and must always remain on a leash or in a harness. Service Animals will rest in the seating area of their owner rather than in an aisle. Please contact the Hult Center Box Office at 541-682-5000, as the Box Office and Guest Services have determined the best areas to accommodate larger service animals in both Halls.
Sensory Room
Patrons who would benefit from the use of a private, relaxing environment are invited to step into our Serenity Room. This space offers comfortable seating dimmed lighting, sensory items, a soothing sound machine, and an electrical wall outlet. Patrons may contact an usher to access this space.
Sensory Kits
The Hult Center has partnered with KultureCity to be sensory inclusive. This initiative promotes an accommodating and positive experience for all patrons with sensory issues.
The Hult Center is certified as a trained and trusted advocate for those with sensory needs. The certification process includes staff training by leading medical professionals on how to recognize patrons with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation.
Sensory bags, equipped with noise cancelling headphones, fidget tools and verbal cue cards are available to all who may feel overwhelmed by the environment. Sensory bags, lap pads, and light-blocking glasses can be found at the Coat Room across from the elevator on the Lobby Level.
ENGAGEMENT
Community Tickets
Hult Center for the Performing Arts distributes free or subsidized tickets to community organizations serving populations lacking adequate access to the performing arts. Program participants include nonprofit organizations focusing on youth development, social services, persons with disabilities, individuals with fixed incomes, or other groups that, for a variety of reasons, do not have regular opportunities to experience high quality performing arts.
An organization must submit an application to become an official partner in the Community Tickets program. Organizations accepted into the program will receive regular communications about performances available for Community Tickets.
Community Resource Group
The Hult Center for the Performing Arts Community Resource Group creates and holds space for historically marginalized and/or underrepresented communities to gather and converse; empowering individuals to participate, share knowledge and support the art they want to experience; thereby making the Hult Center and the programs safe and accessible for all.
This is a new initiative, and we are thrilled to build this program, implement changes and grow with this group. Applications are currently closed. If you are interested in being notified when applications open up, please email our Education and Community Engagement team at HultEducation@eugene-or.gov. Thank you!
Arts Ambassadors
Arts Ambassadors is a volunteer program that supports the Hult Center for the Performing Arts. Members of this program are truly ambassadors, representing the performances, the Center, and Eugene’s cultural programming. Arts Ambassador get to help create unique experiences that surprise, delight, entertain and educate tens of thousands of people each year.
Our Arts Ambassadors are members of the greater Eugene community and share the desire to increase access to the performing arts. All training is provided including customer service procedures, ushering duties, ticket reading and safety in all venues.
PROGRAMMING
The Programming team works to bring a diverse collection of artists and shows to our audiences with goal of lifting spirits, connecting our communities, and stripping away economic barriers. Our 10×10 Series is designed to bring up and coming artists to our Soreng Theater with tickets at just $10, striving toward access equity for artists and patrons alike. Our Summer Series concerts take this value one step further by providing free outdoor concerts. With a focus on smaller artists, both of these programs are designed to help build artists’ audiences and deliver affordable concerts to more people and therefore more opportunities to engage and unite.
MARKETING
Our marketing team strives to effectively and passionately advocate the value of the arts to every member of our community with a focus on radical accessibility and inclusiveness. We highly value authentic relationships and are dedicated to connecting every member of our community to the arts in way that reduces and even eliminates both real and perceived barriers. We firmly believe the our center is a place for ALL people and the value of the arts to create understanding, empathy, and deeper connections to our world around us are vitally important.