Acadiana Center for the Arts (AcA) is an invaluable resource in fostering Acadiana’s cultural and economic development. Serving as a catalyst for creativity and innovation, AcA reaches over 40,000 young people annually through its Arts in Education program, creating vital educational opportunities that inspire critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration.

The arts sector in Lafayette alone is valued at $1.5 billion, underscoring the arts as a major economic driver in the region. AcA’s targeted programs, like Creative Acadiana and ArtSpark, support local artists and creative entrepreneurs, fueling economic growth and workforce development within this sector.

AcA’s strategic initiatives seek to expand these impacts even further, broadening arts accessibility across Acadiana’s eight-parish region and establishing a world-class museum dedicated to Louisiana musicians. By nurturing the arts, AcA not only elevates Acadiana’s unique cultural heritage but also contributes to a vibrant, growing economy, attracting businesses, tourism, and new residents.

Through its leadership, AcA reinforces the arts as a cornerstone of Acadiana’s identity, ensuring sustained community and economic vitality.

Impact Reports

Strategic Plan

In 2021, Acadiana Center for the Arts’ leadership and board saw an opportunity for the organization to seek input from stakeholders, refine the AcA’s long-term vision, and build a strategic plan to advance the organization and community towards that vision.

The plan needed to be designed to help outside audiences and stakeholders understand AcA’s goals, programs, and path forward.

At the request of the AcA, Louisiana-based innovation and strategy firm LaFargue was hired as the lead consultant for this project.

LaFargue has deep experience helping arts and cultural organizations plan for the future through community listening and forward-thinking strategy practices.

The resulting strategic plan will guide the work and activities of AcA leadership and staff through the year 2030.