About Us
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.
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.
Samuel Oliver, AcA Executive Director
Staff
Samuel Oliver, Executive Director
Iya Tsyrkot, Executive Assistant
Program Staff
Aaron Thomas, Production Manager
Anna Kojevnikov, Community Development Manager
Bree Sargent, Education Director
Glenn Fields, Performing Arts Director
Gwen Richard, Community Development Director
Jaik Faulk, Visual Arts Director
Paige Aaron, Education Manager
Reagan Benit, Performing Arts Coordinator
Operations Staff
Connie Petro, Office Manager
Maggie Martin, Production Assistant
Mike Drennan, Facility Engineer
Tshy Cross, Cafe Manager
Vicki Chrisman, Bookkeeper
Fundraising & Marketing Staff
Corinne Sprague, Development Coordinator
Rachel Adams, Marketing Manager
BOARD of Directors
2022-2023
Board of Directors
Jessica Allain
Attorney, Jones Walker LLP
Charles Boudreaux
Partner, Kean Miller LLP
Richard Brauns
Senior Partner, JKR Advertising & Marketing
Robbie Bush
President, Associated Travel LLC
Karen deClouet
Artist
Kenneth Douet
Owner, Maison Stéphanie Bed and Breakfast
Jon Downs
Principal, J. Wallace James Elementary, Lafayette Parish School System
Erica Fox
Owner, Attakapas Collective
Sarah Gauthier
Talented Teacher, Lafayette Parish School System; Director, Theatre Acadie
Nanette Heggie
Principal, Heggie Investment Partners
Robert John, Jr.
Partner, J&J Exterminating
Ethan Jordan
Head of Product, Sootchy, Inc.
Brandon “DJ Digital” Journet
Performing Artist; Host, XXL Higher Level Radio, Townsquare Media
Cliff LaCour
Partner, NeunerPate
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.
Jerome Moroux
Partner, Broussard & David
Olivia Smith Regard
Division Assistant Vice President, Compliance Counsel; Arthur J. Gallagher
Mechelle Roberthon
Vice President/Director of Talent Development, Home Bank
Sadie Shamsie
President/Owner, Standard Title
Marshal Reggie Thomas
Lafayette City Marshal; Deacon, St. James Baptist Church
Johnathan Williams
Owner, Quality of Life Services; Executive Director, Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation
2022-2023
Board Officers
Ronnie Daigle, MD
President
Taylor Davis
President-Elect
Lyle Girouard
Immediate Past President
Daphne Krampe
Secretary
James Kirk Piccione
Treasurer
Aleisha Johnson, MBA
Executive Committee Member-at-Large
Michael Munzing
Executive Committee Member-at-Large
