State of the Arts Symposium 2025
Join us for our third annual State of the Arts Symposium.
DETAILS
State of the Arts 2025
Friday, June 13, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Acadiana Center for the Arts
Overview
State of the Arts is a new, high-impact civic forum designed to elevate public conversation about the role arts and culture play in Lafayette’s economy, identity, and future. It brings together leaders from across sectors—government, business, education, and the arts—to share ideas, data, and strategies that strengthen our cultural infrastructure and deepen its impact.
With over $1.5 billion in annual revenue generated by the cultural sector in Lafayette Parish, the arts are the largest economic driver in our region. But this sector faces critical challenges as global shifts in technology, engagement, and education isolate people from place and community. State of the Arts is an effort to reframe and reinforce the essential value of arts and culture to our civic life.
Keynote by Dr. Christophe Jackson – Artist, Educator, Neuroscientist
“What Creativity Does to Your Brain”
A highlight of the event, Dr. Christophe Jackson will deliver a powerful keynote on the neurological and social benefits of creativity. A Louisiana native with a unique blend of artistic and academic expertise, Dr. Jackson will present a dynamic, interdisciplinary talk exploring how creativity supports cognitive development, mental health, and social cohesion. His keynote will integrate performance, research, and personal insight, offering an unforgettable case for the essential role of the arts in personal and collective well-being, all delivered from the grand piano on the stage of the James Devin Moncus Theater.
