Festival COVID-19 Update

March 13, 2020

Dear Friends,

Like virtually all arts organizations the Festival is closely monitoring the COVID-19 updates and guidance. Our first priority is always to ensure the safety of our students, faculty, audience members, and staff. Our year-round staff is safe and we have unambiguous and firm guidance that health and safety comes first. Bowdoin College is holding remote classes for the remainder of the academic year. We are in regular contact with the College as our summer season hosts.

We are fortunate that our start date of June 27 is a long way off. It is our hope that by then the situation will have stabilized and we will all be well on our way to a normal summer. At this time, all summer Festival events (June 27 – August 7) are scheduled to proceed as planned. Applications are at an all-time high and we have an absolutely thrilling season planned. Ticket sales for the season will open in April. Watch your email to ensure you get your first choice of tickets.

We want patrons and students to feel confident that they are not at financial risk with us if the season is disrupted. Therefore, to encourage our patrons to purchase tickets with confidence we will offer full refunds if needed. For students, we will also refund tuition payments. Many arts organizations including us have noted that they hope patrons will consider converting ticket purchases into a donation to support us through the storm. That is of course entirely voluntary. For anyone traveling to Maine we recommend purchasing travel insurance.

If you have any questions about the Festival’s plans or status, please contact us at info@bowdoinfestival.org or 207-373-1400. Our website will always have the most current information at www.bowdoinfestival.org/coronavirus.

We wish everyone good health and safety. Please join us in taking the extra precautions and following the recommendations of health agencies.

I look forward to greeting every one of you the last week of June and throughout the season.

With best regards,

Elliot Rosen, Chair
Bowdoin International Music Festival Board of Trustees

For more information:

Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention

U.S. CDC

National Institute of Health