Cocktails for KID smART celebrates 25 years of education through imagination
21st annual event benefits expansion of arts education in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS – Cocktails for KID smART will celebrate 25 years of education through imagination March 21 at The Cannery. The 21st annual event, made possible by legacy sponsor Ochsner Health and presenting sponsors Jones Walker & Primary Eye Care, supports the expansion of programming in KID smART’s Creative Schools and enables the organization to be a powerful force for arts education in New Orleans and beyond.
“We are incredibly grateful to celebrate our silver anniversary at this year’s Cocktails for KID smART event,” said Elise Gallinot Goldman, executive director of KID smART. “This significant milestone is a testament to the unwavering support we’ve received from our community. We owe a debt of gratitude to those who believe in our mission that the power of the arts should be available to all New Orleans children.”
Chaired by KID smART board members Gretchen Weller Howard, Michael Mimeles and Nancia Sterling, Cocktails for KID smART kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with an exclusive patron hour featuring musical entertainment by the Jenn Howard Band. The cocktail party takes place from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and includes a live auction showcasing the artwork of Ruth Owens, week-long stay at a villa in the south of France and a New Orleans Arts Lovers package with tickets, memberships, wine and dining. Catering will be provided by The Cannery and entertainment by DJ Rusty Lazer and the International School of Louisiana’s Circus Arts. Additionally, Elektra Cosmetics will be onsite with a glitter buffet experience to help guests add a touch of sparkle in celebration of KID smART’s silver anniversary. Guests will have the opportunity to take home limited-edition Champagne bottles designed by local artists.
“KID smART was founded on the belief that the power of the arts should be available to ALL New Orleans children, and the organization reaches kids within public schools with a suite of evidence-based arts education programming,” said Emily Arata, system vice president of Community Affairs at Ochsner Health. “Ochsner Health’s mission to build healthier communities aligns with KID smART’s impactful work and we are honored to partner together to improve educational opportunities in New Orleans.”
Founded in 1999, KID smART provides public school students with greater access to arts-rich education. In its 25-year history, KID smART has served more than 63,000 students and 11,000 teachers in schools throughout New Orleans. With the belief that the power of the arts should be available to all New Orleans children, KID smART works within public schools to reach underserved children with the most to gain from an arts-rich, social-emotional education.
Cocktails for KID smART is the primary vehicle through which the community at large supports the mission of KID smART. Tickets start at $125. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit kidsmart.org/cocktails-for-kid-smart.
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About KID smART
Over the last two decades, KID smART has collaborated with more than 40 New Orleans public
schools to blend the arts into academic lessons to make classrooms more effective and joyful
places to learn. Through full-year artist residencies, students in KID smART Creative Schools
prove to grow academically, artistically and emotionally. KID smART also partners with national
thought leaders, including Harvard's Project Zero Classroom, to incorporate best practices in
arts and education into its program model.