Ticket Policy
Advance Tickets
There are several ways you can buy advance tickets for shows at The Ark: in person, by phone, and online. Due to the-COVID-19 crisis, ticket sales are currently limited to online only until further notice.
General Admission Seating
The majority of seats at The Ark are general admission. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Reserved Seating
Most seats are general admission; some shows have 70 reserved seats available for $7 over the standard ticket price at the Michigan Union Ticket Office only. A limited number of priority seats are also available for most shows to our members at the Producer ($500) Level and above. For more information on membership and the corresponding benefits, click here.
Doors Only Shows
Advance ticketing is not available for some Ark shows (e.g. RFD Boys, Open Stage). For these occasional events, tickets are available starting one half hour before show time at The Ark's box office.
Lining Up at The Ark
Both advance ticket holders and people buying tickets at the box office line up on the sidewalk on Main St. until doors open 1/2 hour before showtime. (For popular shows, some concertgoers arrive as early as one and a half hours in advance.) When doors open, ticket-holders may pass the box office and proceed to the ticket-taker through the door at the right and up the stairs.
Please be considerate of our neighbors by following these simple guidelines:
- Form a line along the curb to allow access to shops and other businesses.
- Make sure there's a clear path for people walking down the street.
- Please put trash and cigarette butts in the appropriate containers.
We're proud of Main Street and want to keep it looking great!
Ticket Timing
Most Ark shows go on sale to the public on Saturdays starting at 9 am in person or by phone through the Michigan Union Ticket Office and at 10 am online. A listing of all new events going on sale a given weekend is included in The Ark’s email newsletter which is sent out each Thursday. To subscribe, sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of any page of our website.
Please note, if a show is not sold out, tickets will go off sale at 3 pm the day of the show. Remaining tickets once a show is off sale will be available for purchase at The Ark box office starting one half hour before showtime.
Returns & Exchanges
The Ark does not accept ticket returns or exchanges.
Cancelled Shows
Effective 5/7/2020
For Ark events being cancelled with no current rescheduled date, tickets will be refunded at the original point of sale.
Tickets purchased via MUTO (online, by phone, and in person):
Purchases for cancelled shows made on a credit card will be automatically refunded by MUTO to the original card used. For purchases made in person with cash, please contact MUTO at muto-tix@umich.edu to receive your refund via check. Refunds for tickets purchased through MUTO will be for the face value of the ticket. MUTO reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to change the manner in which it exercises its discretion to offer refunds or to offer no refunds consistent with MUTO's standard refund policy.
Tickets purchased in person at The Ark:
The Ark does not retain payment information for purchases at our box office. Please call The Ark office at 734-761-1800 during business hours or email Alison@theark.org to initiate your refund.
Rescheduled Shows
Effective 5/7/2020
Tickets purchased via MUTO (online, by phone, and in person):
For newly rescheduled Ark events (not previously refunded) tickets will be automatically exchanged and reissued for the rescheduled date. No additional service fees will be incurred. Patrons must present tickets with the correct date for admission to the rescheduled show.
Ticket Refunds, if desired, must be requested no later than 30 days from the date the rescheduled show was announced. Refunds for tickets purchased through MUTO will be for the face value of the ticket. Please send refund requests by email to muto-tix@umich.edu. MUTO reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to change the manner in which it exercises its discretion to offer refunds or to offer no refunds consistent with MUTO's standard refund policy.
Tickets purchased in person at The Ark:
Please call The Ark office at 734-761-1800 during business hours or email Alison@theark.org for ticketing assistance and questions.
Children at The Ark
The Ark is an all ages venue. A ticket is required for all patrons over one year of age.
Rebates & Discounts
Eligible Ark members, seniors and students may receive a $1 ticket rebate on Ark-produced shows happening at The Ark (does not apply to fundraisers or Ark-produced events at other venues, e.g. Michigan Theater, Hill Auditorium). Please show your membership card or ID at the door to receive your discount. Only one discount per person, please.
Group Ticket Sales
Concertgoers who wish to purchase 10 or more tickets to an Ark event may call The Ark’s business office at (734) 761-1800. We will process your ticket order by phone with no service fee.