By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–The New Children’s Museum will host its annual fundraising gala on November 5 in San Diego.
This year’s event is chaired by community philanthropists and long-time museum supporters Dr. Laurie Mitchell, Jennifer Luce, and Dr. Ellen Moxham. Along with the volunteer gala committee, the chairs hope to raise $500,000 at Circus Spectacular to support a wide range of programs that provide access to the museum at little to no cost.
“The New Children’s Museum is a vitally important institution in San Diego, introducing our community to the power of art in engaging and approachable ways,” said Dr. Laurie Mitchell, co-chair and one of the museum’s founding board members. “We are raising funds to enable children and families from all over San Diego to access our educational and creative programming, regardless of their life circumstances.”
Each year the museum transforms its multi-level Rob Quigley-designed contemporary building into a vibrant, club-like atmosphere while showcasing its immersive art and playscapes. Gala guests will have free rein inside the 50,000-square-foot museum and be encouraged to play in the installations, including sliding down the 40-foot slide of El Más Allá (Panca), and climbing up into the room-sized crocheted Whammock! (Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam) and engaging in a magical theater experience in Teatro Piñata (David Reynoso).
“Community engagement is core to the museum’s mission and Circus Spectacular will help provide the much-needed support to keep our programs going,” said Elizabeth Yang-Hellewell, Executive Director and CEO of The New Children’s Museum. “The funds we raise will help expand our reach deeper into the community and enable us to welcome more people to immerse themselves in art and play.”
To build on the “greatest show on earth” theme, Island Avenue in front of the museum will serve as the colorful “big top” with a fair-inspired midway complete with a Ferris wheel, food, cocktails, engaging games, and booths. Guests will be dazzled and delighted by performances both inside and outside the museum, including feats of strength and fortune-tellers.
There will be a pre-event reception for the gala honorary committee and VIP ticket holders, including the opportunity to be among the first to ride the Ferris wheel and experience exclusive performances.
“Playful costumes have long been a hallmark of The New Children’s Museum galas and part of what makes our events so much fun,” added Dr. Laurie Mitchell. “While dressing up is always optional, we anticipate our guests will express their creativity with circus and carnival-inspired attire.”
Circus Spectacular is raising funds for the museum’s many access programs, which enable children and families to experience art and the creative process at little to no cost. Forgoing a live or silent auction, the museum will have multiple opportunities for gala guests to “fund a need” via an art show, games, and onsite donations.
The event will begin with a VIP reception from 6 to 7:30 p.m., followed by the program from 6 to 11 p.m. at The New Children’s Museum, 200 West Island Avenue in San Diego.
Tickets are $150 per person (main event), $350 per person (VIP event), $1,500 per couple (honorary committee), Troupes of 10 are also available for general tickets at $1,250, and VIP at $1,325.
For more information, visit thinkplaycreate.org/circus-spectacular.
