BEST FEST offers families motivation and education
NEW ORLEANS — On Tuesday, May 5, KID smART will host its annual BEST FEST—an end-of-school-year celebration featuring joyful art experiences led by KID smART Teaching Artists, interactive workshops, a student art showcase and live performances.
BEST FEST features arts activities, interactive workshops and live performances for children and families to enjoy for free. This year’s event will take place on Give NOLA Day at the newly opened KID smART Center for Arts & Education at 2533 Columbus St., from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The event kicks off with live music from Duo Louisiane, featuring Glenn Hartman and Washboard Chaz, and will feature a performance from students from ISL Westbank. The young artist exhibit celebrates art made by students aged 6–18.
“BEST FEST is our way of celebrating the end of the school year and showcasing the work of our amazing students and schools throughout the year,” said Elise Gallinot Goldman, executive director of KID smART. “We are looking forward to an afternoon of family, fun and the arts.”
Festival goers will have the opportunity to meet this year’s KID smART’s Arts Integration Specialists, Teaching Artists, and Creative School Partners. Food trucks will be on site with items for purchase, and children in attendance will each get a complimentary snowball.
This year’s BEST FEST is supported by The Sunstone Project and the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Foundation (NOTCF). For more information about BEST FEST, visit kidsmart.org/best-fest.
Founded in 1999, KID smART provides public school students with greater access to arts-rich education. In its 27-year history, KID smART has served more than 70,000 students and 15,000 teachers in schools throughout New Orleans and beyond. With the belief that the power of the arts should be available to all children, KID smART works within public schools to reach underserved children with the most to gain from an arts-rich, social-emotional education.
About KID smART
Since 1999, KID smART has partnered with schools, artists, and cultural institutions to bring arts-integrated curriculum and art experiences to children and educators. Through in-school artist residencies, teacher professional development, community art events, and art workshops and classes at the KID smART Center for Arts & Education, KID smART inspires students’ confidence, persistence, comprehension, and joy of learning. KID smART believes that creativity is intrinsic to learning, that art is integral to education, and that the arts empower all children to access their full academic, creative, and personal potential.