Arts & Culture
OVERVIEW
A rich cultural life is one of the shining glories of the Greater New Orleans area. It’s a legacy of our deep-running traditions, diverse ethnic heritage and irrepressible creativity, and it manifests itself on our stages and in our music halls, in galleries and museums, on our dinner plates and in our streets.
This is so much a part of the New Orleans identity that it’s sometimes tempting to regard it as something intrinsic and everlasting. But we recognize that, like any other resource, our arts and culture require investment and stewardship to remain vibrant.
That’s why we support organizations that help preserve and enhance the cultural character of the New Orleans region. We support initiatives that more fully engage residents and visitors in the area’s cultural life; that help cultural organizations develop successful, sustainable strategies to generate revenue; and that demonstrate the economic impact of these organizations so that their broader contributions are properly recognized, valued, and supported.
We also understand that often the artists and culture bearers who make this region such a rewarding place to live must contend with poverty and dysfunctional social systems. So we also support initiatives that improve their quality of life and access to services.
We believe that the unique culture of our region is one of its strongest assets. We are committed to protecting the vitality of its traditions and fostering its future.
OUR WORK
We support innovation in this arena through:
IMPACT
Our program to create a resilient, sustainable and equitable region where people may achieve their full potential and where our unique culture may flourish. Read More >>
SNAPSHOTS
Sharing A Vision: John O’Neal Founder, Junebug Productions
It was 1960. Hopeful playwright John O’Neal was ready to move to New York, but the civil rights movement called him to Jackson, Mississippi. He could not ignore his passion for theater or social justice. In 1963, the Free Southern Theater
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was born. Subsequently, he moved to New Orleans, and founded Junebug Productions. “Our mission is to create and present artwork of the highest quality that encourages and supports African Americans in the South,” says O’Neal.
For more than 50 years, John O’Neal has shared his wisdom with writers, actors, directors, and community members.
Ogden Museum’s “Where Dey At” Bounce Exhibit
Curator and writer Alison Fensterstock introduces us to the history and sounds of Bounce — the raw and irresistible form of hip-hop music indigenous to New Orleans.
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