Radical Hospitality

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Mixed Blood staff, artists and board share what Radical Hospitality means in this video clip.

What is Radical Hospitality?
Radical Hospitality provides no-cost access to all mainstage productions for any audience member. An expansion of Mixed Blood’s egalitarian mission, Radical Hospitality erases economic barriers in pursuit of building a truly inclusive, global audience. Whether a patron is a long-time Mixed Blood attendee, a new immigrant living in Mixed Blood’s Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, a person with low income or disabilities, a college student, or someone who has never been to theater, he or she will be welcomed, free of charge—with radical hospitality.

Read and listen to coverage in the media: Star Tribune, minnpost, City Pages, MPR, KFAI. Or read Arena Stage's New Play Blog for a conversation with MBT about Radical Hospitality.

Why is Mixed Blood doing it?
Revolutionizing access is a core part of Mixed Blood’s vision. In pursuit of that goal, Radical Hospitality aims to: 1) Build relationships with those who have been traditionally underserved by the arts; 2) Eliminate real or perceived barriers to participation; and 3) Increase the number of Minnesotans participating in the arts.

Why is it called Radical Hospitality?
Father Daniel Homan and Lonni Collins Pratt coined the term “radical hospitality” in their 2002 book “Radical Hospitality: Benedict’s Way of Love.” They write: When we speak of hospitality we are always addressing issues of inclusion and exclusion. Each of us makes choices about who will and who will not be included in our lives…. Hospitality has an inescapable moral dimension to it…. All of our talk about hospitable openness doesn’t mean anything as long as some people continue to be tossed aside…Hospitality is the answer to modern alienation and injustice.

For Mixed Blood, radical hospitality has not only social but also political and economic implications; Radical Hospitality exercises our commitment to justice.

How does it work?
There are two ways to see a performance:
1) First come, first served, no-cost admission: Mixed Blood holds a significant number of seats for no-cost admission on a first come, first served basis for each performance. To access these seats, provide your contact information in the lobby (lobby opens two hours prior to the show). Seating begins 30 minutes before show time and is open (no assigned seats).
2) Guaranteed admission: Audience members who want to guarantee entry can do so for a $20 fee paid in advance online or by calling the box office at (612) 338-6131. Seating begins 30 minutes before show time and is open (no assigned seats). Click here for more information.

How is Mixed Blood sustaining Radical Hospitality?
By revolutionizing access, Mixed Blood's audiences are growing to be truly inclusive and reflective of the entire community—and audiences and supporters are embracing the egalitarian core value of the company and providing support in return. Those who attend using Radical Hospitality are asked, subsequent to attendance, to voluntarily become supporters of a vision that ensures access for all. And many did during the 2011-12 season, with our new donors tripling in number! Funding from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund supported the launch of Radical Hospitality in 2011-12, with individual, corporate and philanthropic sponsorships sustaining no-cost admission beyond that first season. To support Mixed Blood, click here.