50th Anniversary Community Storytelling Project

Join us as we celebrate 50 years of art, culture, & community at Acadiana Center for the Arts!

We are proudly celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2025, marking five decades of fostering creativity, supporting artists, and enriching the cultural landscape of South Louisiana. 

Founded in 1975 as the Acadiana Arts Council by a group of passionate artists and community leaders, AcA was established to provide a dedicated space for the arts in Acadiana, growing over the years into a premier cultural institution that champions local talent and engages audiences through diverse artistic programming.

As part of its anniversary celebrations, AcA invites the public to contribute personal memories, experiences, and reflections for a new publication set to be released in Fall 2025. This publication will serve as a tribute to the people, programs, and performances that have defined AcA’s legacy, offering a rich tapestry of voices that highlight the organization’s impact on artists, audiences, and the broader Acadiana community.

Individuals are encouraged to share their stories through written submissions in the following intake form:

A Legacy of Creativity: 50 Years of the Acadiana Center for the Arts

Acadiana Arts Council Original Building Newspaper Articles

Pictured: Newspaper Clippings from The Lafayette Daily Advertiser on June 24th, 1981: 

Arts Council Home Begins Taking Shape By Lisa Sylvestere



For half a century, the Acadiana Center for the Arts (AcA) has been a beacon of creativity, community, and cultural preservation.

What began as the Acadiana Arts Council in 1975 has grown into a regional powerhouse for the arts, fostering local talent, inspiring audiences, and anchoring Acadiana’s cultural identity.

As we celebrate AcA’s 50th anniversary, we honor the visionaries who built this institution, the artists who have graced its stages and galleries, and the supporters who have made its impact possible.

Looking ahead, AcA is poised to expand its reach, deepening its commitment to education, innovation, and accessibility in the arts.


We want your stories from the past 50 years of AcA and your hopes for the future!

This form has a page for each decade of the AcA's history from 1975 through to the 10 years to come.

You don't have to add something for each section to complete and submit, but if you have stories from various decades, we would love them included in those sections.

You can also upload pictures or bring them to AcA for us to scan and return.

Let us know if you have any questions about how to share your stories by emailing us at: marketing@acadianacenterforthearts.org

Cheers to 50 more years of fostering art & culture in Acadiana!
2024 Acadiana Center for the Arts



Acadiana Arts Council Founding and Early Years (1975-1984)

Decade 1

Born from the collaborative efforts of the Junior League of Lafayette, local business leaders, and government officials, the Acadiana Arts Council set out to enrich Lafayette’s cultural landscape. Inspired by successful arts organizations in other cities, the council launched a community concert series, spearheaded public art projects, and in 1978, forged a groundbreaking partnership with the public school system to introduce arts programming into classrooms.

AcA's Board Members by Decade (1975-2024)




To include multiple photos files select "add another response".

Oil Bust Doubling Down on Arts and Culture (1985-1994)

Decade 2

In the face of economic adversity during the oil bust, Lafayette’s leaders turned to the arts as a means of revitalization. The Acadiana Arts Council played a pivotal role in launching Downtown Alive!, supporting the creation of Festival International de Louisiane, the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, and other cultural initiatives. This period also saw an influx of state funding and newly established grants, allowing Lafayette’s arts scene to thrive even in difficult times.

AcA's Board Members by Decade (1975-2024)




To include multiple photos files select "add another response".

Building a Bold Vision for the Arts Council (1995-2004)

Decade 3

Recognizing the need for a central hub for the arts, community leaders envisioned a dedicated facility to house the Acadiana Arts Council. This era saw the council’s continued commitment to developing Downtown Lafayette as a cultural epicenter. Additionally, under the leadership of Superintendent Burnell Lemoine, the council launched PACE (Primary Academic Creative Experiences), an arts integration program that would become a model for arts education in the region.

AcA's Board Members by Decade (1975-2024)




To include multiple photos files select "add another response".

Opening the Theater, Introducing the AcA (2005-2014)

Decade 4

With a vision coming to fruition, the Acadiana Center for the Arts took a transformative leap by opening the James Devin Moncus Theater, thanks to a generous gift from the Moncus family. Alongside this physical expansion, the Acadiana Arts Council rebranded as the Acadiana Center for the Arts, reflecting its broader mission. This period saw the introduction of numerous performance programs that brought international talent to Lafayette and the launch of ArtSpark, a partnership with the Lafayette Economic Development Authority aimed at fostering local artistic careers.

AcA's Board Members by Decade (1975-2024)



To include multiple photos files select "add another response".

Growing Impact Both Wide and Deep (2015-2024)

Decade 5

AcA’s commitment to arts education reached new heights as the organization extended its programming to serve every preK-8th grade student in Lafayette Parish. The center also expanded its partnerships to include school districts in St. Landry and Vermilion Parishes. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, AcA emerged with a renewed focus on its mission, ensuring that the arts remained an essential part of Acadiana’s recovery and growth.

AcA's Board Members by Decade (1975-2024)



To include multiple photos files select "add another response".
2025 and Beyond: A Vision for the Next Decade

As AcA steps into the future, its vision remains bold and ambitious. The organization is committed to expanding its impact across an eight-parish region, ensuring broader access to arts education and creative resources.

Through initiatives like the Louisiana Music Museum, AcA aims to bring global recognition to Acadiana’s rich musical heritage. With a focus on innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability, the next decade promises to solidify AcA’s role as a dynamic force for creativity and cultural engagement in Acadiana.

From its grassroots beginnings to its role as a regional arts leader, the Acadiana Center for the Arts continues to serve as a catalyst for creativity.

The 50th anniversary is not just a moment of reflection but a launching pad for the next chapter—one that honors the past while embracing the limitless possibilities ahead.


Thank you for being a part of AcA's past, present, and future!

Decade Board Members (1975-2024)

For more information on how to submit your story or participate in upcoming anniversary events contact Rachel@acadianacenterforthearts.org.

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