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
Cathryn Hanks
(She/Her)
Executive Assistant
Front of House Team
Melissa Penny
(She/Her)
Visitor Experience Director
Marcelino Gois Caldas
(He/Him)
Visitor Operations Supervisor
Ashlynn Gary
(She/Her)
Lead Guest Services Associate
Malcolm Cormier
(He/They)
Guest Services Associate
Abba Ramsay
(She/Her)
Guest Services Associate
Kay Blanchard
(She/Her)
Café and Bar Manager
Kylie Latiolais
(She/Her)
Barista
Lauren Long
(She/Her)
Barista
Fundraising & Marketing Staff
Corinne Sprague
(She/Her)
Development Director
Allison Doucet
(She/Her)
Development Manager
Mandy McGee
(She/Her)
Marketing & Creative Manager
Operations Staff
Christine Langlois
(She/Her)
Administration & Systems Manager
Janna Ziegler
(She/Her)
Office Coordinator
Vicki Chrisman
(She/Her)
Director of Finance
Kayla Guidry
(She/Her)
Facilities Manager
Tim Benoit
(He/Him)
Facilities Coordinator
Taylor Bourque
(He/Him)
Technical Director
Programs Staff
Anna Kojevnikov
(She/Her)
Community Engagement Director
Audrey de Mahy
(She/Her)
Community Engagement Coordinator
Bree Sargent
(She/Her)
Education Director
Verity French
(She/Her)
Education Manager
Erin Gray
(She/Her)
Education Coordinator
Jessica Duncan
(She/Her)
Education Coordinator
Jaik Faulk
(He/Him)
Visual Arts Director
Asher Rey
(She/They)
Visual Arts Coordinator
Brandon Motz
(He/Him)
Performing Arts Director
Zyria Guillory
(She/Her)
Performing Arts Coordinator
Jane Vidrine
(She/Her)
Louisiana Music Museum Director
David Boudreaux
(He/Him)
Louisiana Scoring Studio Program Manager
Katie Seidel
(She/Her)
Louisiana Scoring Operations Coordinator
Send Us a Message
Join the team!
AcA Board of Directors
AcA Board Officers
Nanette Soileau Heggie
President
Taylor Davis
Immediate Past President
Melissa Maeker
President-Elect
Adrian King
Secretary
Jessica Swiney Allain
Treasurer
Robert Chevalier
Member-At-Large
Carolyn Doerle Schumacher
Member-At-Large
AcA Board Members
Jamie Baldridge
Artist and Professor and head of Digital Art and New Media concentration at at ULL
Charles Boudreaux
Partner, Kean Miller LLP
Dr. Jon Downs
Principal, J. Wallace James Elementary
Kiki Frayard
Owner, Kiki
Sarah Gauthier
Arts Education Leader, Educator, Actor, Director
Mary Guidry
Investar Bank, N.A.
Ethan Jordan
Founder & Head of Product, Faregame
Ethan Jordan
Founder & Head of Product, Faregame
Brandon Journet
Brand Manager, Townsquare Media
Jeanine Lanoux
CEO-Founder, Lanoux Learning, Coaching & Consulting
Forrest Montgomery
Data Engineering Manager, Sayari
Carly Myers
Lucy Osborn
Michael Soileau
CEO, LFT Fiber | Director, Louisiana Consolidated Government
J’annine Sullivan
Members-Emeritus
Edward C. Abell, Jr.
Janet R. Begneaud
John Chappuis
Charles Walter Dobie
Philip Gould
Dan Hare
Dr. Mary B. Neiheisel
What’s New
Member Spotlight – Sarah Oliver
Sarah Oliver Profession: Interior Design Assistant How long have you been a member of AcA? 4 years. Do you frequent any Downtown establishments? Which ones and what’s your go-to cocktail or lite bite? The downtown spot I probably frequent the most is Wild Child Wines…...
Member Spotlight – Adrian King
Adrian King Profession: Regional Vice President of Marketing Are you on the AcA Board and/or a Committee? Yes. I am currently on the Board of Directors and serve as Chair of the Community Development Committee. I also serve on the Finance Committee, Visual Arts...
Member Spotlight – Jessica Foreman
Jessica Foreman Profession: Trinity Emergency Services / Trinity Rental Services How long have you been a member of AcA? Approx. 6 months Are you on the AcA Board and/or a Committee? I am lucky enough to be a Board member and participate on the Performing Arts,...
Tips & Tricks | Artist Biography vs Artist Statement by Erin Gray
Writing your Artist Biography versus your Artist Statement By Erin Gray, Education Coordinator, Acadiana Center for the Arts So you’re going to be in an exhibition - congratulations! Or perhaps you’re planning to submit a grant application (ArtSpark, anyone?). You...
2023 ArtSpark Files : Ten Tiny Dances® by Whitney Willis Hebert
Back in April 2023 we packed about 150 people around a stage two nights in a row at the Feed N' Seed downtown and watched ten outstanding dances choreographed by ten local artists. I assume most of Lafayette hears “dance performance” and thinks of studio recitals— big...
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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Acadiana Center for the Arts’ Comedy Club series brings national stand-up comedians to Lafayette
Pictured left - Rich Vos, center - Jimmie Walker, & right - Michael Winslow LAFAYETTE, LA - Acadiana Center for the Arts’ Comedy Club series brings nationally recognized stand-up comedians to Lafayette this year through a new partnership with...
2023 Student Arts Expo
42 Lafayette Parish schools to perform and exhibit art at AcA’s Student Arts Expo on Saturday, April 1 LAFAYETTE, LA - MARCH 23, 2023 With five stages, and 32 performances from 10am to 6pm, Student Arts Expo, presented by MacLaff, Inc. is a jam-packed...
Acadiana Center for the Arts’ Louisiana Crossroads series celebrates Zydeco music with Preston Frank and the Frank Family Band
LAFAYETTE, LA - Join Acadiana Center for the Arts on Thursday, April 6th, for a rare night with Preston Frank and the Frank Family Band! One of the innovators of Zydeco music, Preston Frank, and his group the Frank Family Band honed their chops by...
Kira Akerman – Hollow Tree
Acadiana Center for the Arts hosts film screening of a new documentary that explores the history & causes of climate crisis in Louisiana 2022 // USA // Documentary // English 73 minutes Doc Follows Three Teenagers as They Discover Why Louisiana is Sinking,...
AcA’s grant awards for young creatives seeks applications from high school & college students
LAFAYETTE, LA - Acadiana Center for the Arts announces a call for applications to the Courtney Granger Memorial award and the Jean Breaux award, both programs that support young artists,...
The new “Sunny Side Brunch” raises funds for the arts with a New Orleans flare on March 19.
LAFAYETTE, LA - The Acadiana Center for the Arts is pleased to announce a new event, The Sunny Side Jazz Brunch, a benefit for the arts in the Acadiana region at the home of Kip and Carolyn Schumacher. The Sunny Side Jazz Brunch calls to the experiences...
Zack Godshall – Hogwash
LAFAYETTE, LA - From February 1st through March 11th, Acadiana Center for the Arts (AcA), in Lafayette, Louisiana, will show Hogwash, a new 6½-hour film by Zack Godshall. Hogwash is set in the sleepy bayou town of Oubliette, Louisiana, where a bizarre...
AcA’s ArtSpark program seeks proposals from artists, musicians, and creative entrepreneurs
Pictured: Three completed 2022 ArtSpark projects (L-R): Home of Evangeline by Jillian Godshall, Water Drop Dome by Carey Hamburg, Meander Mindset by Marla Kristacevich LAFAYETTE, LA - Acadiana Center for the Arts and Lafayette Economic Development...
Acadiana Center for the Arts Announces Full 2023 Performance Lineup!
LAFAYETTE, LA - Acadiana Center for the Arts is proud to present the full 2023 season of Performing Arts, including the flagship AllStars and Louisiana Crossroads series lineups. During the month of November, AcA members have early access to tickets and...
AcA Brand Materials
If you’re partnering with Acadiana Center of the Arts for programming, have a grant funded by AcA, or looking for our logo for any other number of reasons, you’ve come to the right place! Below you’ll find our third party logo files.
If you have an official partnership with Acadiana Center for the Arts, and would prefer a horizontal logo, please reach out the the AcA marketing staff. EMAIL HERE.
Click to download