The Greater Lehigh Valley Arts + Culture Patron Survey is more than a questionnaire. It’s a region-wide effort to gather real data on how people engage with the arts, what gets in their way, and how we can create more inclusive, accessible cultural experiences.
In this episode of Off the Record, we’re joined by Meg Mikovits, Assistant Director and Research Manager at the Lehigh Valley Arts and Culture Alliance, and Marta Kepka, Director of Arts Marketing at Lafayette College. They share how this free, anonymous survey came together, what kinds of questions it asks, and why it’s so important that both individuals and organizations take part.
We talk about:
Why the arts are essential to economic growth, public health, and social connection
The surprising lack of existing audience data in the region
What organizations can gain from distributing the survey to their audiences
How the results will be shared and used across sectors
Whether you’re a mural lover, a Musikfest regular, a parent with kids in band, or someone who just wants to see more arts opportunities in your neighborhood, your voice matters.
As 2024 draws to a close, we’re taking a moment to celebrate an incredible year for the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast. This year, we reached an extraordinary milestone: 2.7 million hits across all of our episodes, showcasing the power of community storytelling and local connections.
With 47 episodes in 2025, we’ve shared countless stories that celebrate the heart of the Lehigh Valley and beyond. From exclusive celebrity interviews like Tony Danza, to exploring local landmarks such as The Sayre Mansion and The Dery House, to diving into community-focused initiatives like New Bethany Ministries’ Turkey Drive and Festival Unbound, our podcast covered an incredible breadth of topics this year.
Thanks to your support, we connected with people from all walks of life, sharing the stories that make the Lehigh Valley truly special.
We’re proud of every episode we released this year, but here are a few that truly stood out:
Tony Danza: Standards & Stories – Tony joined us to share insights from his career and his one-man show at SteelStacks, giving listeners a behind-the-scenes look at his life in entertainment. Listen / Watch here.
New Bethany Ministries Turkey Drive – We highlighted the incredible work of New Bethany Ministries in supporting our community during the holiday season. Listen / Watch here.
Festival Unbound with Touchstone Theatre – A deep dive into this vibrant annual festival celebrating creativity and community. Listen / Watch here.
Lafayette College Arts Tour – Exploring the rich arts culture on campus with exclusive insights. Listen / Watch here.
Toured The Sayre Mansion – An exclusive look at this historic gem in Bethlehem. Listen / Watch here.
Learned to Swim with Goldfish Swim School – A fun and educational episode about fostering water safety. Listen / Watch here.
Toured The Dery House in Catasauqua – Discovering the history and beauty of this iconic property. Listen / Watch here.
Celebrated 90 Years at Shankweilers Drive-In – A nostalgic dive into America’s oldest drive-in theater. Listen / Watch here.
These episodes, among many others, exemplify the diversity and richness of stories we’re privileged to share with our listeners. Your engagement—from sharing episodes to leaving comments—helped make this possible.
Wind Creek Event Center – Hosting incredible events! Link
Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate – Connecting us to our community. Link.
Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub – Fueling our team with great food and energy. Link
The Coop Sports Bar & Kitchen – Fueling our team with Dinosaur Eggs. Link
Banko Beverage Company – Helping us keep the conversation flowing. Link
Lehigh Valley Health Network – Keeping us healthy! Link
Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us bring these stories to life.
Looking Ahead to 2025
For more updates, episodes, and ways to connect with us, visit our website: www.lvwithlove.com.
We’re already planning for an even bigger and better year ahead, and we want YOU to be part of it! Whether you have a story to share, a business to spotlight, or an idea for collaboration, we’d love to hear from you. Fill out this form to get involved: https://forms.gle/3AXv59fdXrVirXke9.
Are you interested in being a guest on our podcast? Share your story with us by filling out our guest form here: https://forms.gle/V6czQLymPp1B31GW8.
Join the Conversation
Stay tuned for more incredible stories in 2025, and thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to another amazing year of connecting, sharing, and loving the Lehigh Valley!
Marta Kepka, Director of Art Marketing, gave us a tour of Buck Hall—including Landis Cinema and the Daniel H. and Sandra Weiss Black Box Theater—along with the Williams Center for the Arts and visual arts spaces.
We also spoke with Ty Furman and Ricardo J. Reyes about how the arts at Lafayette play a major role in the local community and are open to the public.
GUESTS
Marta Kepka – Director of Art Marketing, Lafayette College
Ty Furman – Director, Williams Center for the Arts
Ricardo J. Reyes – Director of Galleries and Curator of Collections, Lafayette College
