Dianne Clark, SciPort Discovery Center, Shreveport, LA

Theater Category

Biography

Dianne Clark has served on the GSCA Board of Directors since 2023 and currently serves on the Industry Development Committee, where she works to ensure that the voices and perspectives of theatres of all sizes and types are represented. Committed to making a positive impact on the giant screen industry, Dianne has made GSCA conference participation a priority throughout her tenure on the Board. In September, she will attend the ASTC conference and participate in a panel discussion exploring the use of artificial intelligence in the museum and theatre industries.

Dianne became Executive Director of Shreveport’s Sci-Port Discovery Center in August 2018 following a 30-year career in post-secondary education. She was recruited to lead the newly reorganized institution through the challenge of reopening and reestablishing Sci-Port as a premier educational and cultural destination.

Located on the banks of the Red River in downtown Shreveport, Louisiana, Sci-Port Discovery Center encompasses a 92,000-square-foot facility featuring hands-on and immersive science exhibits, the Sawyer Space Dome Planetarium, the Gallery of Intrigue, the Power of Play Children’s Center, and the Goodman IMAX Dome theatre.

Under Dianne’s leadership, Sci-Port secured $2 million in funding in 2022 to renovate the Goodman IMAX Dome—the only dome theatre in Louisiana. The renovation introduced a state-of-the-art laser digital projection system, energy-efficient sound and lighting systems, and new gift shop and concession areas. These improvements have strengthened the theatre’s role as both an educational resource and a revenue-producing tourism attraction, offering Hollywood feature films alongside the latest educational documentaries.

Dianne has also implemented strategies designed to strengthen the theatre’s long-term financial sustainability and community connections. Among the most successful is the Goodman IMAX Ambassador Program for Caddo and Bossier Parish schools. Ambassadors receive complimentary movie screenings and, in turn, distribute IMAX schedules and educator guides to teachers throughout their schools. The program has contributed to increased student IMAX bookings while strengthening relationships between the theatre and area educators.

Community engagement, accessibility, and inclusion remain central to Dianne’s vision for Sci-Port’s future. The Center continues to leverage its resources to expand educational opportunities for diverse learners and recently received a $30,000 gift from Amazon to support a sensory accessibility buildout and sensory kits designed to better serve visitors with neurodivergent needs.

Through her leadership at Sci-Port and her service to the giant screen industry, Dianne is committed to building sustainable, inclusive, and innovative experiences that connect audiences, educators, museums, and theatres.

Statement of Purpose

Statement of Purpose, Dianne Clark, Executive Director, Red River STEM, Inc.  (d.b.a. Sci-Port Discovery Center), Shreveport, Louisiana

Mission Statement: 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 Parish Commission dedicated 1.5 million dollars to provide an upgrade to the theatre from film-based to laser projection technology.   Additional fundraising efforts resulted in a two-million-dollar upgrade and the January 2023 re-opening of the 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.  In 2025, Sci-Port welcomed more than 80,000 on-site visitors, representing 25 states and 62 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes.  School visits accounted for 17,000 of these visitors.  The state of Louisiana provides annual hotel/motel tax support which is restricted to provide underserved residents of Caddo Parish admission to the Center, including admission to the Goodman IMAX Dome theatre.  The Caddo Parish School System has committed to sending every kindergarten and 5^rd grade student to Sci-Port for the coming year.  The 5th grade students will be provided with the opportunity to view an educational film in the Goodman IMAX Dome.

In July 2026, Louisiana’s Governor approved a $400,000 state appropriation to support program expansion. The theatre is slated to be a primary focus for 2027

As a current GSCA Board member and Industry Development Committee member, I have gained insight into the world of film makers, distributors and theatres.  Through participation in conferences, networking opportunities and online offerings, I more fully appreciate the role theatres play in the success of the film industry and enjoy the benefits of being a member of the GSCA.  The infrastructure of Sci-Port Discovery Center is now heavily focused on the role of the theatre and the selection of movies which appeal to the local audiences.  As a Board member, I will continue to represent and support theatres of all sizes and types.

Dianne Clark

September 2026