The Louisiana Office of Cultural Development’s Division of the Arts announces the release of applications for the Louisiana Cultural Districts program. The application period is now open. Any municipal or parish government can now apply to have a specific geographic area considered for designation as a Cultural District. Additionally, current eligible Louisiana Cultural Districts are able to apply for a boundary expansion. The deadline to submit applications is Saturday, August 1. All applications must be completed and submitted through the Louisiana Cultural Districts online portal, louisianaculturaldistricts.org.
“Louisiana’s culture doesn’t just Feed Your Soul, it means business for our state,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “Our Cultural Districts have proven to be an excellent economic development tool for many cities in Louisiana, benefitting both the local government and developers in these areas. It is an economic tool that will be important for many areas as [we] continue down the road to recovery from a rough 2020.”
Any proposed cultural district must be geographically contiguous, distinguished by cultural resources, focus on an existing cultural anchor, be engaged in the promotion/preservation/educational aspects of local arts and culture, contribute to the public through interpretive and educational uses, and encourage opportunity for affordable artist housing and workspace.
Read more here: https://www.crt.state.la.us/news?NewsID=435
Original report from Barry Landry/Louisiana Feed Your Soul
