Arts Gala | Photo Courtesy of Wright State University
Students, faculty and staff at the Creative Arts Center (CAC) are preparing for Dayton’s first premier arts event of the season.
What to expect
Wright State University’s (WSU) Arts Gala has been a yearly featured event in Dayton since its conception in 2000. Since then, the evening has grown from one small event into an evening of six different entertainment experiences.
“Three musical shows, one classical acting, one dance and one motion pictures event,” The Arts Gala coordinator Joe Deer said. “This year is a perfect marriage of many of the features our patrons love and look forward to, with a fresh twist. We’ll feature new approaches to décor and dining experiences, updated music, dance, art and theatre performances that are largely created just for ArtsGala each year. And, as always, there’s more art and entertainment, dining and social engagement than you can possibly fit into one evening.”
Arts Gala 2021, like many in-person events scheduled in the past several years, was moved to a virtual platform. This year it will once again be in-person, and planners want to bring it back in the best way possible.
“It will be bigger and better,” A member of the planning committee, Becca Webb, said. “I’m most excited to see the connections made between students and members of the community.”
One new addition to this year’s Arts Gala is that the art department faculty will be serving as bartenders, offering patrons a good opportunity to speak one-on-one with teachers.
“It’s a great opportunity for students to showcase their talent to the community, and to learn how non-profit events work,” theatre department faculty member Carly Kimmins said.
Scholarships and COVID-19 precautions
The gala and its coordinators have one goal: to raise scholarship money for students in the Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures Department.
Since 2000, the Arts Gala has raised $3.2 million. Tickets for the evening are $300, though donors interested in participating in the silent auction may do so online.
Currently, the event is scheduled for Saturday, April 9, with an expected attendance of between 700-800 people. Visitors will be expected to follow all COVID-19 safety policies, including the university’s current mask mandate.
