Fostering art and culture in Acadiana.
About Us
How We Serve Our Community
Arts in Education
The AcA’s Arts in Education programs provide arts experiences to students as well as tools to teachers for integrating the arts into the education experience.
Community Development
AcA administers state, local, and privately funded arts and culture re-grant programs, supports the creation of new works of art, exhibits, performances, workshops, public art, and audience services.
Visual Arts
AcA serves thousands of patrons each year through more than 20 exhibitions and 6,000 square feet of world-class galleries.
The department actively seeks out new regional artists, as well as showcases leading professionals in the global arts community.
Performing Arts
AcA’s Performing Arts Program includes a wide variety of elevating performing arts experiences that continue to attract support, participation, & public attention from all corners of the community. These programs put money into the local arts community & engage new audiences year-round.
students reached
by AcA Teaching Artists annually
public schools
receive AcA’s Arts in Education services annually
YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP
with Lafayette Parish School System
teaching artists
employed annually
invested in Acadiana artists and cultural organizations annually
in Acadiana artists and cultural organizations, through fair compensation and grant support
people
served annually by AcA
artists
fairly compensated annually
parishes served by AcA's mission
(Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, & Vermilion Parishes)
Our Mission and History
Our mission is fostering art and culture in Acadiana.
Founded in 1975, Acadiana Center for the Arts (“AcA”) is a community-supported nonprofit organization that fosters art and culture in Acadiana. Since its founding, AcA has developed as a major force, shaping the future of public education and community development in South Louisiana. Located in the heart of Downtown Lafayette, AcA also serves a vibrant hub of the city’s arts and music scene.
AcA supports the creation of new works of art, exhibits, festivals, performances, and public art across an eight-parish region that includes Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion Parishes.
AcA aims to bring equitable access to the arts and supports fair compensation of artists. On average, AcA serves over 300,000 people annually and provides fair compensation to 2,700 artists.
In 2013, the AcA merged with the Performing Arts Society of Acadiana (“PASA”), whose mission was to educate, inspire, entertain, and culturally enrich the people of south Louisiana by providing local access to a diverse range of the performing arts. This merger supported the vision of both organizations and provided much-needed support to PASA’s programs. Founded in 1989, PASA served as a leading voice in the performing arts in South Louisiana for close to three decades.
Plans & Reports
AcA Staff
Executive Team
Samuel Oliver
(He/Him)
Executive Director
Fawn Hernandez
(She/Her)
Deputy Director
Lex R. Thomas
(They/Them)
Executive Assistant
Front of House Team
Ana Huval
(She/Her)
Guest Services Associate
Audrey de Mahy
(She/Her)
General Manager
Christine Langlois
(She/Her)
Barista
Christopher Isaac
(He/Him)
Guest Services Associate
Eliza Hinrichs
(She/Her)
Front of House Coordinator
Hope Simpson
(She/Her)
Guest Services Associate
Kay Blanchard
(She/Her)
Café and Bar Manager
Kylie Foster
(She/Her)
Barista
Fundraising & Marketing Staff
Allison Doucet
(She/Her)
Development Manager
Brewster Durbin
(He/Him)
Digital Marketing Coordinator
Corinne Sprague
(She/Her)
Development Director
Mandy McGee
(She/Her)
Creative Designer & Marketing Coordinator
Rachel Adams
(She/Her)
Marketing Manager
Operations Staff
Connie Petro
(She/Her)
Office Manager
Kayla Guidry
(She/Her)
Facilities Manager
Kent Altman
(He/Him)
Production Assistant
Tim Benoit
(He/Him)
Facilities Coordinator
Vicki Chrisman
(She/Her)
Bookkeeper
Programs Staff
Anna Kojevnikov
(She/Her)
Community Development Manager
Brandon Motz
(He/Him)
Performing Arts Director
Bree Sargent
(She/Her)
Education Director
Catherine Bricelj
(She/Her)
Education Manager
David Boudreaux
(He/Him)
Studio Program Manager
Emma Sonnier
(She/Her)
Visual Arts Assistant
Erin Gray
(She/Her)
Education Coordinator
Gwen Richard
(She/Her)
Community Development Director
Jaik Faulk
(He/Him)
Visual Arts Director
Jane Vidrine
(She/Her)
Louisiana Music Museum Director
Leah Graeff
(She/Her)
Education Coordinator
Zyria Guillory
(She/Her)
Performing Arts Coordinator
Send Us a Message
Join the team!
AcA Board of Directors
Ed Abell
Member Emeritus
Jessica Allain
Partner, Jones Walker LLP
Jamie Baldridge
Artist and Professor and head of Digital Art and New Media concentration at at ULL
Janet Begneaud
Charles Boudreaux
Partner, Kean Miller LLP
Robbie Bush
President, Associated Travel LLC
Aleisha Cook
AJC Business Solutions
Ronnie Daigle, MD
Physician
Taylor Davis
Northwestern Mutual
Karen deClouet
Artist
Jon Downs
Principal, J. Wallace James Elementary
Jessica Foreman
Trinity Emergency Services
Erica Fox
Maison Freetown
Kiki Frayard
Tracy Frentz
RN
Sarah Gauthier
Talented Teacher, Lafayette Parish School System; Director, Theatre Acadie
William Dan Hare
Member Emeritus
Nanette Soileau Heggie
Principal, Heggie Investment Partners
Ethan Jordan
Head of Product, Sootchy, Inc.
Brandon Journet
Brand Manager, Townsquare Media
Adrian King
Boyd Gaming Corporation
Daphne Krampe
Administrator, MacLaff Inc.
Burnell Lemoine
Retired Superintendent, Lafayette Parish School System
Melissa Maeker
Representative of Junior League of Lafayette
Hannah Smith Mason
Artist; Community Outreach and Business Development, Smith Mason & Co.
Forest Montgomery
Jerome H. Moroux
Partner, Broussard, David, & Moroux
Michael Munzing
Residential and Commercial Agent, BBCO Insurance
Carly Meyers
Mary Neiheisel
Member Emeritus
Lucy Osborn
Carolyn Schumacher
Chairman/Managing Director, Provisions Energy & Marine Support
Lawrence Simon, MD
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Olatunde Soyombo
OSoy Communications
AcA Board Officers
Taylor Davis
President
Ronnie Daigle, MD
Immediate Past President
Michael Munzing
Treasurer
Ethan Jordan
Executive Committee Member-at-Large
Sarah Gauthier
President-Elect
Tracy Frentz
Secretary
Aleisha Cook
Executive Committee Member-at-Large
What’s New
2022 ArtSpark Files: Grant Tips from Suzanne E. Wiltz
Suzanne’s Tips Application Process 1. Really think about your proposed project: Artistically > Is this project within your current wheelhouse? Practically > How much of this project is within your current skillset? Do you have a network of people to help you...
Acadiana Cultural Health Access | Heat Safety During Festival Season
By Kathy Richard, Co-Founding Director, Acadiana Cultural Health Access As Acadiana temps are predicted to continue to hit 100 again this summer, we encourage you to be mindful of the dangers of heat to yourselves and your fellow humans, particularly around festivals...
Teaching Artists | Admiring Acadiana’s tradition of culture sharing
By Bree Sargent, Education Director, Acadiana Center for the Arts Originally published in Acadiana Profile on 06/01/2022 There are so many reasons to love you, Acadiana. I love the food and the festivals (I’ve danced my heart out at several recently). I love the...
10 Tips for Effective Grant Writing in the Arts
Our local grant season has just kicked off with submissions opening for ArtSpark on Monday January 9th, so I thought it was a good time to talk about ways to strengthen your applications for ArtSpark as well as any external grants you’re preparing materials for. 1....
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50 Years of BeauSoleil
Legendary Cajun Band BeauSoleil Celebrates 50 Year Anniversary at Acadiana Center for the Arts LAFAYETTE, LA - January 17, 2024 - BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet marks the fiftieth year of their remarkable career with two star-studded concerts at the Acadiana...
AcA’s Professional Development Series for Artists, Creative Acadiana, Presenting 3-Part Grant Writing Workshop
LAFAYETTE, LA - Creative Acadiana is a comprehensive career development program for artists and creative entrepreneurs in Acadiana, including grant funding, workforce development courses, and professional networking opportunities to build a thriving creative...
AcA, LPSS, Lafayette Parish Bicentennial & Southern Screen host first ever Student Film Festival
LAFAYETTE, LA - NOVEMBER 16, 2023 - Through a partnership with Southern Screen, Lafayette Parish School System, Acadiana Center for the Arts and Lafayette Parish Bicentennial, the first Lafayette Parish Student Film Festival will be screened at Southern...
Fawn Hernandez selected as first Deputy Director of Acadiana Center for the Arts to drive strategic initiatives
Pictured: Fawn Hernandez, AcA Deputy Director Photo Credit: Jason Cohen LAFAYETTE, LA - Acadiana Center for the Arts announces the hiring of Fawn Hernandez as its first Deputy Director. Hernandez joins the professional staff of the AcA, led by Executive...
The Conversation Series: Stitching the Geopolitical Quilt to Re-Body Belonging
Acadiana Center for the Arts brings award-winning choreographer to Lafayette for a nationally significant world premiere LAFAYETTE, LA - SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 - “The Conversation Series: Stitching the Geopolitical Quilt to Re-Body Belonging” is a contemporary dance...
Martin Payton: Legacy of Form
Acadiana Center for the Arts’ Main Gallery Exhibition Features Large Scale Steel Sculptures Celebrating Musical & Artistic Improvisation LAFAYETTE, LA - September 1, 2023 - Acadiana Center for the Arts announces its next main gallery exhibition Martin...
United Way of Acadiana And Acadiana Center For the Arts Launch Grants For Teachers to Provide Funding for Arts & Innovation
LAFAYETTE, LA – United Way of Acadiana and Acadiana Center for the Arts announce a call for applications to Education Innovation Grants and Arts Grants for Teachers. Education Innovation Grants for Teachers are live now on UWA’s website. Arts Grants for...
Gulf Brew – Acadiana Center for the Arts’ Biggest Fundraiser on Saturday, October 21, partners with Ragin Cajun Athletics
LAFAYETTE, LA - Acadiana Center for the Arts hosts Gulf Brew, presented by Moss BMW, Louisiana’s oldest craft beer festival! Gulf Brew is an outdoor festival along the streets of Downtown Lafayette on Saturday, October 21, 2023, 1-5pm. AcA is working...
‘Play It Again’ Summer Instrument Drive
Acadiana Center for the Arts Recycles Instruments for Local Public School Music Programs with ‘Play It Again’ Summer Instrument Drive LAFAYETTE, LA - June 20, 2023 - Do you have an instrument in your home collecting dust, or not being used? Please...