Arts Council

WHO WE ARE
The Arts Council of New Orleans is a private, non-profit organization designated as the official city arts agency. Now in its 35th year, the Arts Council works in partnership with the City of New Orleans, community groups, local, state, and national governmental agencies, and other nonprofit arts organizations and businesses to meet the arts and cultural needs of the greater New Orleans region through a diversity of initiatives and services.

MISSION STATEMENT
We believe the arts are essential to the life of the community. It is the mission of the Arts Council of New Orleans to support and to expand the opportunities for diverse artistic expression and to bring the community together in celebration of our rich multicultural heritage.

The Arts Council provides Cultural Planning, Advocacy, Economic Development, Arts Education, Arts Marketing, Public Art, and Grant and Service Initiatives focused on its vision of New Orleans as a flourishing international center for arts and culture.

WHAT WE DO (in addition to presenting ArtsNewOrleans.org)

Advocate for positive public sector, business and foundation policies and funding priorities at the local, state, and federal levels on behalf of arts and cultural interests.

Administer grant programs that provide access to city, state, federal and private funds for artists and arts organizations in the greater New Orleans area. Serve as one of nine regional re-granting agencies for the Louisiana Division of the Arts. Administer the Community Arts Grants on behalf of the City of New Orleans.

Place art in the public venue by administering the City of New Orleans’ Percent For Art Program and collaborating with community and business groups to visually enhance the landscape of New Orleans to create a sense of place that preserves and strengthens our community’s identity.

Provide services through the Arts Business Program to individual artists, start-up arts businesses, and arts non-profits through business and career planning, monthly business development workshops, pro-bono legal assistance, collaborative arts marketing projects such as the NOLA Arts & Culture Big List and neworleansvoices.com, as well as group health insurance to arts businesses and non-profits.

Showcase the visual arts and local music through the Arts Market of New Orleans. Held the last Saturday of each month, the Arts Market features handmade artworks from many of the area’s finest artists and craftsmen, vibrant music, childrens activities, food, and more.

Conduct the Annual Community Arts Awards to honor organizations and individuals for steadfast dedication and outstanding contributions to the arts and culture of our community.

For more information visit: http://www.artscouncilofneworleans.org