ARTBREAK returns April 28-May 4, (Public Festival May 2-4) bursting with vibrant creativity, pulsing music, and even more family-friendly excitement! The Shreveport Regional Arts Council (SRAC) proudly celebrates 39 years of showcasing Arts in Education programs throughout Caddo Parish Public Schools, transforming the Shreveport Convention Center into a 95,000-square-foot kaleidoscope of visual, literary, performing, culinary, fashion, lighting design, and film art. This year’s festival showcases a powerful theme of “Arts for All,” with more inclusive programming than ever before. SRAC will award nearly $25,000 in savings bonds and cash prizes to hundreds of talented students while welcoming approximately 50,000 students, parents, teachers, and art enthusiasts to the free, hands-on community festival weekend, May 2, 3, and 4.

Step into the Convention Center and feel immediately embraced by a spectacular explosion of color! Brilliant reds, yellows, and blues seem suspended in mid-air, creating a magical atmosphere that continues throughout the space as you discover hundreds of student masterpieces displayed from floor to ceiling. Families become part of the creative journey with over 30 make-and-take S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, ARTS, and Math) activities guided by professional artists from across the region.

Immersive Weekday Experiences for Students

The weekday schedule buzzes with creative energy as 2nd and 3rd graders from across the parish engage in specially designed STEAM field trips! Students will experience the rhythmic magic of Uncle Devin’s interactive drumming performances, the classical-meets-contemporary brilliance of Q Major Violinist, and the tactile artistic explorations led by Louisiana Association of the Blind.

The Shreve Memorial Library’s Second Grade Reading Adventure introduces a captivating new storytelling stage featuring “Kat Keeps the Beat” by Greg Foley. This delightful story celebrates finding your rhythm in life, perfectly complementing the festival’s musical theme. Interactive performances will bring the book to life with music, movement, and colorful costumes. Young readers can create their own musical instruments at hands-on stations while enjoying the sophisticated sounds of Q Major Violinist.

Book enthusiasts won’t want to miss Greg Foley’s appearance at the Shreveport Memorial Library Children’s Book Festival on May 3, running concurrently with ARTBREAK!

Master Classes: Cultivating Tomorrow’s Creative Voices

Students in grades 5-12 will dive deeper into artistic disciplines through an expanded array of Master Classes led by professional artists and educators. The Louisiana Association of the Blind leads transformative workshops on tactile art creation, while additional Master Classes include Visual Arts techniques, Literary composition, expressive Dance, Film Prize Jr. production workshop, dynamic Poetry Out Loud performance coaching, cutting-edge Fashion design, and the multi-media Battle of the Books competition. These immersive learning experiences provide students with hands-on mentorship from industry professionals, igniting creative pathways that extend far beyond the festival!

New for 2025: “Arts for All” Initiative

This year’s festival introduces groundbreaking inclusivity measures ensuring everyone can fully experience the joy of ARTBREAK. American Sign Language interpreters from Deaf Action Center will be stationed at key festival performances and at the information booth, ensuring deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors don’t miss a moment of the excitement. A dedicated sensory room offers a peaceful retreat for those needing a break from the festival’s sights and sounds, while a comprehensive social story is available online to help prepare visitors who experience anxiety in new environments.

A Legacy of Creativity

Since its inception in 1986, ARTBREAK has championed artistic education while celebrating student achievements across diverse creative disciplines. The festival continues to thrive through generous support from sponsors including McDonald’s - Gilley Enterprise, Inc., The Alta and John Franks Foundation, Bonvenu Bank, The Community Foundation of North Louisiana, Community Network, Inc., Union Pacific, and The Leonard W. and Betty Phillips Foundation.

When the Family Fun weekend begins Friday, May 2, the Shreveport Convention Center will transform into a dynamic showcase of student singers, dancers, musicians, performers, young filmmakers, fashion designers, emerging chefs, lighting artists, and thousands of visual and literary works created by students of all ages—all surrounded by proud families celebrating these remarkable creative achievements.

Saturday, May 3, debuts the inaugural Battle of the Bands competition, featuring Middle school Marching Bands and Drum Lines battling for glory in a friendly face-off that promises to rock the Convention Center!

For 39 years, ARTBREAK has inspired generations of young artists, and this year’s festival promises more creativity, more inclusion, and more unforgettable memories than ever before! Bring your family to the Shreveport Convention Center Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, May 2, 3, and 4, 2025. It’s completely FREE with free parking—a colorful celebration you won’t want to miss!