The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) is pleased to announce the launch of its 30K for 30 campaign in celebration of its 30th Anniversary. The campaign aims to raise $30,000 by June 30, 2023, to increase the organization’s Art For All educational funding by 30% in its 30th year. 30K for 30 will officially kick off at the Pearl Party on Friday, Nov. 18, in Alys Beach.
The CAA officially formed in 1993 with a dedicated volunteer group of creative pioneers committed to supporting local artists and funding arts education in Walton County by offering year-round annual programming. 30 years later, the CAA is a designated 501 c (3) nonprofit organization and the certified Local Arts Agency for Walton County, Florida. The CAA has grown exponentially, fine-tuning its traditions while adding programs and services. Headquartered in the Bayou Arts Center at the Santa Rosa Beach Creative Campus where art education is offered year-round, the CAA’s programming includes: 30A Songwriters Festival, Valentine Tour of Homes, Art Month Walton County, ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival, the nation’s first Underwater Museum of Art, Art in Public Spaces, Art on Demand, Art For All funding, a Prison Art Program, the Miramar Beach Creative Campus home to The Foster Gallery + J. Leon Studios, and a new Digital Creative Campus.
The Art for All program provides funding opportunities for students, teachers, professional artists of all disciplines and arts organizations.
“With the growth of the organization over the last three decades, the CAA has also steadily grown this cornerstone program from granting hundreds of dollars per year to now tens of thousands of dollars annually impacting over 7,000 children,” said CAA Executive Director Jennifer Steele. “To date, the CAA has granted three quarters of a million dollars through this program, and with the support of our community we look forward to increasing this investment in children, artists and arts education.”
The community is invited to attend the CAA’s inaugural Pearl Party for the campaign launch. Named for the iconic symbol of strength gained through time and experience (and the classic 30th anniversary gift), the Pearl Party will take place Friday, Nov. 18, on Kelly Green in Alys Beach featuring live music by Soul/Blues band Eddie 9V, a full cash bar, food trucks, a live art demo with Lindsay Tobias, and more. So put on your favorite pearls, bring a chair, and help us celebrate!
Tickets are only $25 for CAA members and $50 for soon-to-be members. A few VIP packages for six remain that include a reserved cocktail table and concert seating plus swag bag goodies. Tickets may be purchased in advance online at CulturalArtsAlliance.com/upcoming-events.
CAA Member and VIP ticket purchasers are invited to attend a special VIP Pre-Party from 5 - 6:30 p.m., featuring live music with Max McCann, the CAA’s annual awards presentation for Arts Partner of the Year, Arts Teacher of the Year and Volunteers of the Year as well as champagne, beer, wine, raw oysters and light bites on us!
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., for general admission ticket holders with Blues/Soul Artist Eddie 9V, and his full band set to take the stage from 7:15 - 9 p.m. Event goers can enjoy a live art demonstration from Lindsay Tobias, food truck offerings from My Ohana, Sports To Geaux, Henry’s Pizza and Gelato Love, plus a full cash bar featuring a signature cocktail artfully crafted especially for the occasion.
The CAA thanks Alys Beach and the Alys Beach Foundation for their continuous support of the CAA and the Pearl Party. Additional Pearl Party support is provided by Florida Department of State, Division of Arts & Culture and Aqua Medical Spa.
For more information or to make an online campaign contribution, visit CulturalArtsAlliance.com.
