Cocktails for KID smART celebrates 25 years of education through imagination

Written By Alicia Vial

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.

###

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.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

Previous

NextOp and BlueForge Alliance Launch Enlisted Veteran Hiring Program
Next

LSU Health New Orleans hosts Camp Tiger Auction to benefit children with medical disabilities