SUSD, Scottsdale Arts & city of Scottsdale collaborate for family event
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
A new family festival is launching in late March to celebrate visual and performing arts created by Scottsdale students.
Scottsdale Family ArtsFest at SkySong is March 24-25 at SkySong, The ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center in south Scottsdale.
The event is a partnership between Arizona State University, the Scottsdale Unified School District, Scottsdale Arts, the city of Scottsdale, and the SkySong development team, according to a press release.
Scottsdale Family ArtsFest at SkySong is a free, two-day festival of creativity that includes performances, interactive demonstrations, creative interventions, and culinary delights from local food trucks throughout the SkySong campus, event promoters report.
Over the course of the event, attendees will experience performances and art exhibitions delivered by Scottsdale Unified School District students, family friendly arts activities presented by Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation, and interactive demonstrations from city of Scottsdale departments.
“We are excited to be a part of this new collaboration with the city, its arts community and ASU,” said Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel. “To be able to showcase the work of our visual and performing arts students in this kind of setting is a wonderful opportunity.”
For Gerd Wuestemann, president and CEO at Scottsdale Arts, he says this event is a tremendous opportunity to further infuse the community excitement around the arts.
“This event will be a tremendous addition to the arts scene in Scottsdale,” he said. “We are looking forward to showcasing the work of local students and continuing to enhance the arts in our community through this new event.”
The event is from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 24 and 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 25. There will be several different areas to explore, including:
- Center Stage will feature performances by SUSD bands, choirs, and orchestras. This area will also include hands-on, artist-led activities from Scottsdale Arts including lantern making, painting, and souvenir tote bags.
- Art exhibitions from elementary, middle, and high school students will be throughout SkySong’s campus. A highlight includes bowls created by SUSD students that will be available for sale to support families facing food insecurity in Scottsdale.
- The Café Stage presents smaller ensemble performances, interactive experiences presented by City of Scottsdale departments, electronics recycling by Westech, and light refreshments.
“Scottsdale is home to a broad variety of family friendly events and we are thrilled to be adding the Scottsdale Family ArtsFest at SkySong to that mix,” said Joy Racine, Community Involvement Manager-Civic Service with the city of Scottsdale. “We look forward to recognizing the work of our local students at this exciting new event.”
Don Couvillion, Senior Vice President-Real Estate for University Realty, a partner in SkySong, says he is looking forward to the community event this spring.
“We are very pleased to bring this celebration of the arts to life on the SkySong campus. SkySong has always embraced the arts and featured them prominently, and this is a great way to continue that tradition while further connecting with the community.”
Sponsorships for the Scottsdale Family ArtsFest at SkySong are available HERE.
