On a sparkling September night at Blue Star, The Contemporary’s annual Disco Bingo fundraiser turned into a full-blown celebration of art, community, and the transformative power of creativity. Beneath a cascade of disco lights, guests traded cards and boogied their best moves, channeling the spirit of the 1970s for a cause that looks squarely toward San Antonio’s future: access to arts education for K through 12 students.
Hosted by co-chair couples Allison Reyes Boese and Derek Boese and Kasi and Brandon McCormick, Disco Bingo was not just a party, but a testament to what can happen when a community rallies behind the next generation of artists, thinkers, and dreamers. The evening’s proceeds support the Contemporary’s robust education programs, which provide vital, no-cost arts access to students, teachers, and families throughout the city.
Through its teacher initiatives, the Contemporary provides Continuing Professional Education credits for public school educators, already reaching 29 teachers who collectively serve more than 5,600 students, 77 percent of whom attend Title I schools. The museum’s Creative Classrooms program pairs K through 12 classes with professional artists to bring fine arts TEKS requirements to life, while encouraging creative expression and critical thinking in tandem with core curricula.
The MOSAIC program takes that work even further, inviting teens from across San Antonio into studio residencies that combine intensive artmaking with professional development and mentorship. These young artists not only learn technique, they learn to see themselves as part of the creative economy, developing skills in communication, time management, and problem solving that serve them for life.
The Contemporary’s To the Museum program helps break down transportation barriers by reimbursing bus costs, ensuring that schools across the city can access exhibitions and programs. Add in Family Saturdays, Teen Nights, Learning Lab activities, and community workshops, and the Contemporary’s reach extends to thousands of San Antonio students and families each year.
The results of these outreach programs, backed by research, speak for themselves. Students who engage with the arts show higher test scores and attendance rates, are more likely to bridge socioeconomic gaps, and often grow into civically engaged adults who contribute to more sustainable communities. Arts education changes lives, and that was the message that kept the disco ball spinning all night long.
As the final bingo numbers were called and the last beats pulsed across the dance floor, one thing was clear: this community believes in the power of creativity. The Contemporary’s mission, to ensure every child has access to artistic opportunity without cost or restriction, continues to shine as brightly as a mirror ball.
If you missed Disco Bingo, you can still keep the groove going. The museum hosts free events and programs for adults throughout the year. Visit contemporarysa.org or follow @sacontemporary on social media for updates. And if your heart is still set on taking home a piece of art, mark your calendar for Red Dot, the Contemporary’s next big art sale fundraiser, happening November 12 at bluestarreddot.org.
THE VOICE:
Cody Davenport
Eleanora (Ellie) Morrison is a fifth-generation San Antonian and the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Voice of San Antonio, a platform dedicated to amplifying visionary voices in the city. As Editor-in-Chief, she leads both editorial and creative direction, shaping the platform’s voice, visual identity, and storytelling approach. With a background in arts, culture, and media, Ellie has always had a passion for telling stories that reflect the diverse, vibrant spirit of San Antonio. Her work strives to elevate local voices, showcasing the city’s rich cultural heritage and supporting its future growth. In addition to her editorial role, Ellie is a multi-disciplinary creative leading projects that shape spaces, conversations, and community in San Antonio and beyond. Connect with her on social media @eleanoramorrison.