BENEFIT:
Christmas in the Sky generates funds to support important community Arts Programs produced by the Shreveport Regional Arts Council for Northwest Louisiana. The Shreveport Regional Arts Council (SRAC) mission is to “Imagine That!” by developing, promoting, educating and maximizing access to all of the Arts for people in Northwest Louisiana. SRAC is committed to ensuring that the Arts are included in the portfolio of solutions to community problems and community growth. In order to achieve this “place at the table” the arts community must be equipped to do the work and unified to express meaningful resolutions with one voice. In 2008, with leadership from the Community Foundation of North Louisiana, the ARTS CONGRESS was developed to achieve these two purposes. SRAC and the ARTS Community have a vehicle for communication and are committed to Values that are manifested and evaluated in all Arts policies. Through Training designed to develop the Business Entrepreneurialism of Artists and Capacity Training for Arts Organizations, as well as the management of the Shreveport Bossier Fun Guide On-Line Calendar and Ticketing to promote arts events, SRAC is working to raise the capacity of the Arts in Northwest Louisiana. Finally- and largely - SRAC is working to develop the SHREVEPORT COMMON Cultural Community, a nine-block niche area to the larger Allendale/Ledbetter Heights CHOICE neighborhood.
VOLUNTEER DRIVEN FUNDRAISER:
A team of more than 500 VOLUNTEERS produces CHRISTMAS IN THE SKY during an 18-month production period. The production of CHRISTMAS IN THE SKY requires an organization comprising 25 separate volunteer committees working tirelessly throughout the year to secure auction donations and corporate sponsorships, as well as design and create sets, props, costumes, invitations, food displays, and entertainment venues. This premier event is Chaired by Waynette Ballengee and Donna Poimboeuf.
DESIGN:
CHRISTMAS IN THE SKY is created by a team of 18 professional designers – artists, interior designers, architects, and department store display professionals - from all over Shreveport and Bossier who volunteer their time to bring this extraordinary event to life!! Harrah’s Louisiana Downs is transformed to completely convey the theme of the event from the moment a guest pulls into the valet parking, to the lobby, and throughout two floors of the Racetrack. Much of the event is built “on site” because the sets are so large (each piece averages 16’ tall by 8’ wide). Diesel Driving Academy delivers 10 “Big Rigs” filled to the brim with Supplies and Materials!
AUCTION:
Christmas in the Sky features a gigantic LIVE and SILENT Auction with almost 1,000 items donated by Businesses from Shreveport-Bossier and all over the World! The LIVE Auction features one of a kind experiences such as trips with customized and personal services. There are 16 Silent Auction areas featuring jewelry, accessories, parties, sports memorabilia, wine, and children’s items.
FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT:
Costumed characters and Entertainers dazzle guests and encourage high bidding! Ten (10) stages feature live professional entertainment. The gala showcases the Harrah’s Louisiana Downs’ creative culinary team with 12 bars and 11 themed hot and cold buffets. Ice sculptures capture the overall theme of the event and fabulous buffets beckon guests to dine on hot and cold hors d’oeuvres that are designed to mirror the theme of the event!
TICKETS:
More than 2,000 guests from across the nation (New York, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Little Rock, St. Louis, and Canada) as well as our friends in the “Ark-La-Tex” region purchase tickets to support the every other year gala, which is sold out within two weeks; tickets are $280 and are available November 1.
SPONSORSHIPS:
A corporate community of more than 200 BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS contributes $500,000 to underwrite Christmas in the Sky. Sponsorships range from $1,500 to... the “Sky’s the limit!” For more information, please call 318-673-6500 and ask for Corrie.
ECONOMIC IMPACT:
The annual Economic Impact of the Nonprofit Cultural Arts Community in Northwest Louisiana is $90 million dollars, with 2,400 full time job equivalents, $55 million in household income, and returning $13 million in local and state government revenue.
SRAC's sustained and renowned core programs include: Arts-in-Education programming (36 years); ArtBreak Student Arts Showcase (28 years); Distribution of Grants and Capacity Development for Artists and Arts Organizations (30 years); artspace, the center for the creation, exhibition, and presentation of all Art disciplines with Academy Award Winner, William Joyce as Artistic Director (12 years); shreveportbossierfunguide: On-Line Community Master Event Calendar & Ticketing (4 years); and Public Art (15 years). SRAC has successfully fostered multi-partner projects with significant public/ private investment producing arts projects such as the nation’s largest public mural, Once in a Millennium Moon; Texas St. Neon Bridge; “Triumph Over Tragedy” - a 21 parish commemoration of the Great Depression, and the soon-to-open Central ARTSTATION.