Celebration Arts
Funding Requests
Celebration Arts seeks $5,000 to support our Kids' Time Program (Spring and Fall camps): $1,500 for scholarships ensuring access for 50 students and $3,500 for production costs, empowering youth through arts education and performance.
Celebration Arts (CA), founded in 1986 by award-winning actor-director James Wheatley, is Sacramento's premier Black theater company. CA is dedicated to providing education and performance opportunities for underserved communities, particularly African-American residents, making it a cornerstone of Sacramento's cultural landscape. The organization offers comprehensive training in acting, dance, and music while showcasing award-winning Black playwrights and celebrating the richness of Black culture through its annual theater season.
In the 1990s, CA expanded its programming to include multiple plays, concerts, and the Kids' Time program—an arts training initiative for children aged 6–12. This year, CA plans to host two Kids' Time sessions: eight-week performing arts programs serving up to 50 children. Participants immerse themselves in music, movement, and drama within a nurturing and inclusive environment, fostering confidence, discipline, and creativity. Each session culminates in a live performance where the young artists proudly showcase their talents and growth.
Kids' Time is a transformative program where BIPOC youth can develop their talents, celebrate cultural heritage, and gain essential skills for personal and professional success. The program's primary objectives include:
Expanding Arts Education Access
Kids' Time ensures equitable access to theater arts education for underserved and marginalized youth, providing quality experiences that might otherwise be inaccessible.
Fostering Creativity and Innovation
Through theater, music, and dance, participants explore new avenues of self-expression, igniting their imagination and encouraging innovative thinking.
Building Communication and Collaboration Skills
By working in teams with peers, instructors, and mentors, participants develop essential skills in teamwork, collaboration, and effective communication, contributing to their holistic personal growth.
CA employs the following methods to ensure participant success and progress toward program objectives:
Workshops & Classes: Led by experienced instructors, these sessions focus on skill development, creativity, and self-expression, providing a strong foundation in theater arts.
Productions & Performances: Youth gain hands-on experience in live productions, allowing them to apply their skills and shine in front of an audience.
Mentorship: Mentors offer personalized guidance, feedback, and support to help participants navigate challenges and grow artistically.
Scholarships & Financial Aid: These resources ensure that financial barriers do not prevent participation, fostering inclusivity.
Evaluation & Feedback: Regular feedback from participants, parents, and instructors drives continuous improvement and ensures program effectiveness.
Kids' Time serves as a gateway for aspiring performers to develop over multiple years.
Participants may remain in the program for up to six years and audition for age-appropriate roles in CA's six annual productions. These performances, which reach audiences of up to 1,400 per production, immerse youth in culturally relevant theater while offering real-world experience in the performing arts.
By blending artistic exploration with essential life skills, Kids' Time nurtures creativity, builds confidence, and provides a foundation for lifelong success. This program not only enriches participants' lives but also strengthens the cultural fabric of the Sacramento community.