KID smART launches first-ever summer camp

Written By Alicia Vial

Two weeks in July designed to spark curiosity, creativity and confidence

‍ NEW ORLEANS – This summer marks an exciting new chapter for KID smART as the arts education nonprofit will launch its first summer camp experience for young artists between the ages of 5-12. Designed to spark curiosity, creativity and confidence, the two unique week-long camps invite young learners to explore the powerful connection between the art of Word Play and S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math). 

“Rooted in the vibrant culture of New Orleans, our camp blends hands-on artistic exploration with critical thinking and discovery-based learning,” said Elise Gallinot Goldman, executive director of KID smART. “Campers won’t just make art — they’ll experiment, problem-solve, collaborate and engage with the world around them in meaningful ways.” 

Taking place July 20–24, the first week of camp will feature daily activities that encourage exploration through play, connecting the S.T.E.A.M. subjects to the rich culture and context of New Orleans. The second week, July 27–August 1, will focus on strengthening reading, writing, communication and creative expression skills by engaging in a variety of hands-on arts activities and experiences.

With small cohort sizes and age-based groups, each camper receives individualized attention in a nurturing, inspiring environment. Whether a camper is an emerging artist, inquisitive builder or simply full of imagination, this summer promises to be a joyful space for growth, expression and discovery

For more information about KID smART’s summer camps and to register, visit https://www.kidsmart.org/camps.  

KID smART’s summer camps will take place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the new KID smART Center for Arts & Education located at 2533 Columbus Street in New Orleans. 

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.  

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About KID smART
Over the last two decades, KID smART has collaborated with more than 40 New Orleans public schools to blend the arts into academic lessons to make classrooms more effective and joyful places to learn. Through full-year artist residencies, students in KID smART Creative Schools prove to grow academically, artistically and emotionally. KID smART also partners with national thought leaders, including Harvard’s Project Zero Classroom, to incorporate best practices in arts and education into its program model. The KID smART Center for Arts & Education, provides a permanent home for free and low-cost arts education in the Bayou Road/7th Ward Neighborhood.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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