Dianne Clark

Executive Director

Sci-Port Discovery Center

Statement of Purpose

Sci-Port Discovery Center provides a fun, immersive environment for people of all ages to explore and actively engage in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Sci-Port serves to spark curiosity and inspire a passion for lifelong learning by utilizing hands-on scientific discovery activities.

Sci-Port opened its current location in 1998 as a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a rotating governing board of community leaders and a staff of scientists, educators and business professionals. The original building included Louisiana’s only IMAX Dome Theatre. This remains true in 2024. The Center re-organized under new management in August 2018. RRSTEM presently has a fifteen-member board of directors with several advisory, non-voting members. Red River STEM, Inc. holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency with Guidestar/Candid.

In May of 2021, the Mayor of Shreveport and the Caddo Commission dedicated 1.5 million dollars to provide an upgrade to the theatre from film-based to laser projection technology. Addition fundraising efforts resulted in a two-million-dollar upgrade and the November 2022 reopening of Goodman IMAX Dome. The upgrades to the theatre and center included the addition of a concession area and a gift shop.

The Shreveport-Bossier community and the state of Louisiana are fully invested in Sci-Port’s success. Our field trip bookings and memberships continue to increase. The Caddo Parish School System made a commitment to send every 5^th grader to an IMAX show on an annual basis and have hopes to include additional grades in the future. The state of Louisiana provides annual support which allows Sci-Port Discovery Center to provide underserved residents of Caddo Parish through reduced admission pricing to the Center as well as to the Goodman IMAX Dome theatre.

The past three years of service to GSCA as a Board member and as an Industry Development Committee member have provided insight into the world of film makers, distributors and theatres. I recognize the role that theatres play in the success of the film industry and enjoy the benefits of being a member of the GSCA. I will continue to participate as an active member of this valuable association.

Bio

Dianne Clark was hired as the Executive Director of Shreveport’s Sci-Port Discovery Center in August of 2018 upon retirement from her 30-year career in post-secondary education.

When hired as the Executive Director for the newly reorganized Sci-Port Discovery Center, Dianne faced the challenge of reopening and reestablishing the Center as a premiere educational experience. Focused on the Sci-Port’s mission to provide relevant, hands-on, STEM-based learning experiences to learners of all ages, Dianne has realigned staff and resources resulting in the celebration of several milestones. Sci-Port Discovery Center is celebrating its 26^th anniversary this year! The 92,000 square foot facility, located on the banks of the Red River in downtown Shreveport, Louisiana, is comprised of the science center, featuring a vast array of hands-on, immersive exhibits and activities, the Sawyer Space Dome and Planetarium, the Gallery of Intrigue, the Power of Play Children’s Center and the newly upgraded Goodman IMAX Dome. With the completion a two-million-dollar renovation in November of 2022, the Goodman IMAX Dome–the only dome theatre in Louisiana–has been upgraded to include a state-of-the art laser digital projector and energy efficient sound and lighting systems. A gift shop and concession area were also added to align with the goal of providing a revenue-producing tourism attraction through the promotion and offering of Hollywood feature-length films as well as the newest releases of educational documentaries.

One of the most successful strategies implemented with the renovation and reopening of the Goodman IMAX Dome includes the addition of the Ambassador program for Caddo and Bossier parish schools. Selected Ambassadors distribute IMAX movie schedules and related educator guides to instructors within their schools. Field trip bookings have increased as a result of the distribution of these educational resources.

Community engagement and inclusion are the major focus of Dianne’s vision for Sci-Port’s future. Sci-Port continues to receive community-based grant funding dedicated to improving both on- and off-site educational opportunities to a diverse group of learners of all ages.

Dianne has served on the GSCA Board of Directors since 2023 and is currently serving on the Industry Development Committee. In this capacity, she has worked to ensure that theatres of all sizes and types receive equal representation.

In January of this year, Dianne was a finalist in the Bossier City Chamber’s Leader of the Year nominations. In addition, Sci-Port Discovery Center was recently named the 2024/25 Family Fun Attraction for the Shreveport/Bossier area.