Snow globes just one way WSU raising scholarship funds
Pandemic forces cancellation of ArtsGala for 2nd year in a row.
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY — Wright State University’s ArtsGala has been canceled for the second year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Organizers looked at different options including moving the date of the event and holding it virtually but ultimately decided to cancel.
“We decided that we didn’t want to risk the reputation of ArtsGala by providing an experience that did not live up to previous events,” said Nick Warrington, director of events and community engagement for the College of Liberal Arts, in a release.
A restriction on the number of tickets that could be sold also created financial challenges.
“The mission of ArtsGala is to support our scholarship fund,” Warrington said. “By hosting an in-person event with all of the required safety measures, we would have incurred additional expenses that would have prevented us from raising as much money for the ArtsGala Scholarship Fund.”
The black-tie evening is dedicated to raising money for the university’s scholarship fund for its fine and performing arts students.
The event has been held for two decades and typically raises $200,000 for student scholarships.
ArtsGala organizers have created other ways to raise money for the scholarship fund this year.
To encourage contributions the College of Liberal Arts partnered with Global Love Dayton to create a limited-edition snow globe featuring some of the most iconic buildings and landmarks on Wright State’s campus.
There will be 250 snow globes available for purchase with proceeds going directly to the ArtsGala
Scholarship Fund.
Snow globes are $125 each and can be pre-ordered online at wright. edu/snowglobes.
Snow globes will be available to pick up on campus in October, in time for the holiday season, or they may be shipped anywhere in the continental United States for an additional $10.
An online silent auction also will take place featuring student artwork and dining packages from local restaurants.
More information on the silent auction will be announced in the coming weeks.
ArtsGala scholarship recipients and other students in the fine and performing arts will participate in a phonathon campaign, contacting previous ArtsGala patrons to thank them for their attendance at prior events and request their continued support of student scholarships.
Gifts to the ArtsGala Scholarship Fund also can be made online at wright.edu/artsgala.