“Take Me to the World” Celebrates 5 Years!

Today marks the 5-year anniversary of Arts Ignite’s milestone Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration virtual concert! Organized by our founder Mary-Mitchell Campbell and Raúl Esparza, the event brought together a cast of Broadway superstars and hundreds of thousands of viewers in support of arts education. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the concert generated over $500,000 for Arts Ignite’s programs, funds that allowed us to not only survive this time of change and uncertainty, but thrive.

Our incredible lineup included Laura Benanti, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, Meryl Streep, and more performing songs from Stephen Sondheim’s most iconic works. Joined by Christine Baranski and Audra McDonald, Meryl Streep sang “The Ladies Who Lunch” from Company. Bernadette Peters and Lin-Manuel Miranda sang “No One is Alone” and “Giants in the Sky” from Into the Woods respectively.

As we celebrate the concert’s 5th anniversary, the need for Arts Ignite’s programs is as important as ever. Analysis from Columbia University shows that government funding for arts education in New York City, where the majority of our programs are operated, has decreased over the years. With less access to arts education within public schools, opportunities to experience the arts become out of reach without organizations like Arts Ignite.

Today, in the spirit of the Sondheim Concert, we’re asking once again for your partnership in making a meaningful difference. Your gift today helps us meet gaps in access to arts education, opening up new pathways for young people and inspiring them to develop their creative capacity, community, and courage. Click here or on the button below to make a gift today!

Thank you to everyone who has supported and continues to support Arts Ignite. Our work and impact would not be possible without you.

PS – Want to celebrate with us in person? Join Arts Ignite for a truly special afternoon centered around the current production of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends on Broadway, complete with a private reception and exclusive talk-back with the cast. Space for this event is extremely limited, so learn more and reserve your tickets today here.