State of the Arts Symposium 2026
Join us for our fourth annual State of the Arts Symposium!
State of the Arts is a 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.
Prior to the main program of this year’s Symposium, we will be holding an Artist’s Plenary and Roundtable from 10 am to 12 pm in the AcA ArtHouse. This event, hosted by artist Aileen Bennett, is specifically designed with artist’s in mind, giving them a space to share the challenges and opportunities that they’ve encountered in the current cultural climate, while also participating in activities designed to help them keep creating.
Please Note:
Registering for the Symposium does not automatically register you for the Artist’s Plenary and Roundtable or vice versa. If you would like to participate in both events, please register for both of them at checkout.
Creative Acadiana programming, including State of the Arts Symposium, holds accessibility as a core part of its mission and makes all of its programming available to attend for free or at a low-cost. However, the continued existence and growth of programming like State of the Arts is dependent on the generosity of you, our attendees. If you would like to support Creative Acadiana programming, a donation would be greatly appreciated. Suggested donation is $25, but please pay what you can.
Schedule of Events
Artist’s Plenary & Roundtable
10:00am–12:00pm
(Exclusively for Creative Practitioners -requires separate registration)
The Antidote: A Sketchy Plot to Outsmart AI and Save Our Brains from Going Full Potato
Faciliated by: Aileen Bennett, Writer, Illustrator, Speaker
The Antidote is a creative discussion session for creatives (of all kinds) navigating the real-world messiness of earning more than a living.
Aileen Bennett leads an open, uplifting (at times) conversation where the real challenges creatives face – like staying motivated, finding meaning, getting rich, and dealing with AI, are examined, discussed and tackled collectively. Bring your questions and your answers.
It’s fun (maybe), it’s real, and it’s powered entirely by human brains. Fully-functioning ones.
Symposium
1:30pm
Opening Plenary
Faciliated by: Samuel Oliver, AcA Executive Director & Aileen Bennett, Writer, Illustrator, Speaker
Discover what was learned in the morning plenary with Aileen Bennett & what your regional arts council has been up to with Samuel Oliver.
2:00pm | James Devin Moncus Theater
Future of Festivals
Moderated by: Carly Viator Courville, Marketing Director, Festival International de Louisiane + Owner, Electric Magnolia Studio
Panelists: Lisa Stafford, Programming Director, Festival International de Louisiane, Kara St. Clair, Accounts Manager, Fli Artists
This panel explores and discusses the changing landscape of festivals, as they are so important to the culture here. With constant changes to travel visas and the funding landscape, what does the future of festivals look like for us and other festival cities like ours? What do we have to do to adapt to these changes?
2:00pm | ArtHouse
Healing by Hand: Art, Nature, and Recovery at AcadianaCares
Presenters: Claude Martin, MS, CEO, AcadianaCares, Emily Neustrom, MS, HTR: Horticultural Therapist, AcadianaCares, Colin Miller, Strategic Communications & Creative Lead, AcadianaCares
Art has been instrumental since AcadianaCares earliest days during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Discover the role art and design has played in the creation of therapeutic spaces and mental health and substance use programming at AcadianaCares. Learn more about the Recovering Senses, Recovering Stories Project Grant and the impact that grant funds can have on both local artists and adults in recovery.
3:00pm | Artloft & Mallia Galleria
Breakout Session: Bringing Public Art to Life
Facilitated by: Clare Cook, Creative Director, Basin Arts & William Dodge, Co-founder | Artist | Design Principal, A Gang of Three
Join William Dodge and Clare Cook for an interactive breakout session exploring the collaborative process of developing public art projects. Working from a shared proposed site, participants will build a publicly engaged project strategy through the perspectives of the artist, the facilitator, and the community. This hands-on session offers real-time insight into creative placemaking, stakeholder engagement, and the practical dynamics of bringing public art projects to life.
3:00pm | Café & Atrium
Breakout Session: Think Tank
This interactive space invites you to share your thoughts on the topics of the day and discover the perspectives of your fellow community members. Grab a marker or pen and respond directly on the page – and be as creative as you’d like! Interact with other responses, introduce new questions, or simply draw how you’re feeling. Think of it as a panel on paper, with the entire community as its panelists. Add your voice to the conversation!
4:00pm | James Devin Moncus Theater
What in the AI?
Moderated by: April Courville, Marketing Consultant
Panelists: Allison Bohl DeHart, Makemade, David Maynor, CGI Director of Consulting, La’Toya Guillory, Intentional Leadership & Author Coach
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into creative work, artists and creative professionals are grappling with new questions about process, authorship, ethics, and ownership. This panel explores how AI is shaping creative practice, the responsibilities that come with using these tools, and what it means for the future of human creativity.
4:00pm | ArtHouse
The Economics of Cultural Districts
Moderated by: Samuel Oliver, Executive Director of Acadiana Center for the Arts
Panelists: Gary Wagner, Acadiana Business Economist Endowed Chair, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Laura Brown, Liaison, Railroad Avenue Historic Cultural District
Across the U.S., cultural districts have become a go-to tool for revitalizing neighborhoods, sparking tourism, and showcasing creativity. But what is the real economic return? This session tackles the question with hard data and lived experience. Economists, state leaders, and local practitioners will examine Louisiana’s Cultural Districts Program, one of the oldest and most studied in the nation, alongside examples from other regions. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of what works, what doesn’t, and how to measure cultural investment as an economic development strategy.
5:00pm | James Devin Moncus Theater
DO GOOD WORK
Keynote Speaker: William Dodge, Co-founder | Artist | Design Principal, A Gang of Three
DO GOOD WORK uses the work of my own practice, A Gang of Three, to illustrate how public art and design thinking can be leveraged to do more with less within the built environment, and by doing so, promote positive and meaningful change.
6:00pm
Reception
Keep the conversations going over light bites, drinks, and music from DJ Ray-Gun.
Hourly Schedule
June 12
- 10:00AM - 12:00PM
- Artist's Plenary and Roundtable
- Hosted by artist Aileen Bennett, is specifically designed with artist's in mind, giving them a space to share the challenges and opportunities that they've encountered in the current cultural climate, while also participating in activities designed to help them keep creating. Please note that registering for the Symposium does not automatically register you for the Artist's Plenary and Roundtable or vice versa. If you would like to participate in both events, please register for both of them at checkout.
- 2:00PM - 6:00PM
- Main Symposium Programming
- Includes breakout sessions and speakers.
- 6:00PM - 8:00PM
- Reception
