On Saturday, October 15, 2016, Inner-City Arts—Los Angeles’ leading provider of quality arts education for underserved children—will host its signature annual fundraising event the 2016 Imagine Awards in the Samuel Oschin Pavillion at the California Science Center. Under the Space Shuttle Endeavour, The Boeing Company will be honored as a leader in learning, innovation and design. Inner-City Arts will also recognize long-time board member and advocate Susan Emerling-Torres with the Philanthropic Leadership Award.

The evening will feature a food and cocktail hour, an engaging program, a gallery of Inner-City Arts student work, an interactive Creativity Lab display, as well as live music and dancing. The evening will be hosted by Andrea Fiuczynski, Executive Vice President and Chairman, Americas of Sotheby’s.

The Imagine Awards Honorary Committee includes such notable Los Angeles leaders as Monica and Philip Rosenthal, Melanie and Richard Lundquist, Michael Maltzan, and more. Silvia Marjoram, a long-serving member of the Inner-City Arts Board of Directors and Regional Vice President at American Business Bank, is Chair of the 2016 Imagine Awards Event Committee.

“The Boeing Company stands as a symbol of daring technology and design,” Marjoram said. “And Susan Emerling-Torres has, for years, dedicated herself to Inner-City Arts and was instrumental in making our award-winning campus a reality. It is because of generous corporate partners like The Boeing Company and individuals like Susan that Inner City Arts and the children we serve are able to thrive. I can’t wait to witness the awe and excitement in the eyes of our guests and honorees as they walk into the California Science Center and celebrate under the wings and the belly of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. It will be a magical night.”

The 2016 Imagine Awards occurs during The Boeing Company’s centennial year, further adding to the excitement and celebration surrounding the evening.

“Game-changing innovation has always been at the heart of Boeing,” said Pat Schirmer, Vice President, Customer Support for Boeing Commercial Aviation Services. “As we look to our next 100 years, we want to inspire the next generation of aerospace visionaries. That’s why it is important to partner with like-minded organizations like Inner City Arts, to drive the necessary innovation for our future leaders to thrive.”

Inner-City Arts will also honor Los Angeles-based writer and strategist Susan Emerling-Torres for her dedication to the organization’s mission and her advocacy for greater access to arts education. Emerling-Torres first allied with Inner-City Arts in 1998 to support its Professional Development program. She later joined the Inner-City Arts Board of Directors in 2003 and played a pivotal role in the organization’s 2006 Capital Campaign.

“My involvement with Inner-City Arts has been a real joy for me,” said Imagine Awards Honoree Susan Emerling-Torres. “I am thrilled to be recognized as part of a team that has made it grow and thrive. My reward has been watching students and their teachers engrossed in creative endeavors, and knowing I’ve had a hand in providing this experience for them. I believe the arts are often the most transformational part of a child’s education. As a parent, writer and arts advocate, I know how powerful it is to find and develop one’s creative voice.”

All proceeds from the 2016 Imagine Awards support Inner-City Arts’ dynamic services which utilize art and creativity to engage students in learning.

Tickets to the event start at $500 and sponsorship packages are also available.

Click here for tickets and more information.

View official press release here. 

For press and media inquiries, please contact communications@inner-cityarts.org.