Join Us for a Night of Artistic Celebration and Inspiration!
Celebrate 35 years of impact and artistic excellence at Celebration of the Arts (COTA) on May 8, 2025, at the historic Grand Central Air Terminal located on the Walt Disney Imagineering campus.
This unforgettable evening will bring together creative minds, art enthusiasts, and industry leaders for an inspiring night benefiting the young artists of Ryman Arts.
VIP Admission - 5:30 PM Early Access Pricing: $400 (Until March 31) | Regular: $500
VIP guests receive exclusive early access and special experiences, including:
- Fireside chat with Academy Award-winning director Domee Shi
- First access to the original art sale, silent auction, and Ryman Arts Surprize Lockers
- Meet artists and get limited-edition prints signed before the crowds
- Live art experiences, featuring renowned artist Eric Robison and live model drawing
- Gourmet tray-passed hors d'oeuvres, curated bites, dessert bar, hosted bar, and coffee & tea
General Admission - 7:00 PM Early Access Pricing: $150 (Until March 31) | Regular: $175
- Access to the original art sale, live & silent auctions, and Ryman Arts Surprize Lockers
- Celebration of Ryman Arts' 35th Anniversary, featuring the 5th Sklar Creative Visionary Award presented to Domee Shi
- Live art-making, including works by Eric Robison and Ryman Arts alumni & students
- Curated bites, dessert bar, hosted bar, and coffee & tea
Location: Grand Central Air Terminal (Rear Entrance)
Dress: Festive Cocktail
All proceeds directly support Ryman Arts' mission to empower the next generation of creative visionaries. Secure your tickets now at early access pricing and be part of this extraordinary celebration!
Celebrate our 35th Anniversary
We are proud to honor Domee Shi with the 5th Marty & Leah Sklar Creative Visionary Award, to be presented at Celebration of the Arts. Domee's extraordinary journey-from storyboard artist to award-winning filmmaker-exemplifies the spirit of this award. Her dedication to representation, mentorship, and fostering new voices in visual storytelling aligns seamlessly with Ryman Arts' mission of creating access and opportunity for young artists.
As Director and Vice President of Creative at Pixar, Domee began her career as a story artist on Inside Out, later contributing to The Good Dinosaur, Incredibles 2, and Toy Story 4. In 2018, she wrote and directed Bao, which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. She made her feature film directorial debut with the Academy Award-nominated Turning Red and is currently working on her latest feature, Elio, premiering in June 2025.
ABOUT THE SKLAR CREATIVE VISIONARY AWARD
Established in 2018, the Sklar Creative Visionary Award is presented annually by Ryman Arts to an individual whose creative contributions and leadership in the arts have made a profound impact. Named in honor of Ryman Arts co-founders Marty and Leah Sklar, the award reflects their lifelong dedication to nurturing creative talent and inspiring the next generation of artists.
Marty Sklar, former President of Walt Disney Imagineering, and Leah Sklar were both passionate champions of creativity and mentorship-values that continue to drive the mission of Ryman Arts today.
Join us at Celebration of the Arts as we recognize Domee Shi's remarkable achievements and celebrate the future of young artists!
Join us as a sponsor or make a contribution to uplift young artists and leave a lasting legacy in our community.
Connect with us! Learn more about sponsor benefits and ways to partner with Ryman Arts this year! Contact Shannon Huang, Director of Development and Communications, at shuang@ryman.org to start the conversation today.
Please note: All sponsors will be featured on the website, communications, and social media. Last day for logo feature on physical event signage is April 9, 2025.
ABOUT RYMAN ARTS
Celebrating 35 years of artistic impact, Ryman Arts transforms lives by creating access and opportunity for a diverse community of young artists through self-expression, rigorous education in art skills, and mentoring. The nonprofit offers free, high-quality studio art instruction, mentorship, and college and career guidance to talented high school students. Founded in 1990, and named after artist and Disney Legend Herbert D. Ryman, the program has served over 41,000 students from 190 zip codes and five counties across Southern California.
Ryman Arts serves 550 students through its core program annually and an additional 1,000 students through workshops and community events. Each student receives rigorous, college-level training from professional teaching artists, preparing them for higher education and careers in the creative sector. More than 95% of Ryman Arts students matriculate to college, with about a third pursuing creative careers.
Ryman Arts fosters a vibrant community of alumni who remain deeply connected after they graduate from Ryman Arts and throughout their lives. The organization expands access to the arts and ensures that future generations of young people can thrive.
