LAFAYETTE, LA — September 20, 2024 — Acadiana Center for the Arts (AcA) is excited to announce the awarding of nearly $100,000 to 20 arts projects through the Louisiana Project Grant (LPG) program, administered by AcA for Region 4. Funding for these grants is provided by the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism, which supports innovative projects that promote local culture while offering lasting economic impact.
Louisiana State Senator Gerald Boudreaux highlighted the state’s cultural prestige: “Louisiana’s unique culture resonates far beyond our borders. The national recognition our musicians, artists, and traditions receive brings tremendous pride and showcases the rich diversity of our state to the world.” Through grant programs like these, AcA helps bring much-needed investment to cultural organizations across Acadiana, including historically underserved communities. The Canneci Tinne Tribe of the Lipan Apache Nation, for example, will document their traditional Athapaskan language by creating a dictionary with support from this year’s grant.
Louisiana State Representative Brach Myers emphasized the economic value of arts and culture: “The creative economy is a driving force in Louisiana. Investing in the arts not only strengthens our cultural identity but also generates jobs and attracts tourism dollars. These projects are vital to keeping our local economies vibrant.” The University of Louisiana at Lafayette will receive funding for three projects, including KRVS Public Media’s initiative to broadcast local musicians like The Revelers and Corey Ledet on the nationally syndicated “World Café” program. Additionally, a documentary funded through the grant will feature Creole accordionist Joe Hall, highlighting the living tradition of Creole music in Southwest Louisiana.
“The range of projects supported this year showcases the incredible talent and innovation within our community,” said Sam Oliver, Executive Director of AcA. “We’re excited to see the impact these initiatives will have on the cultural landscape of Acadiana.” For a full list of awarded projects, please see below.
Recipient: KRVS Public Media at University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Project: KRVS – World Café Acadiana Spotlight
With support from the Louisiana Project Grant, KRVS will launch the Acadiana Music Spotlight on WXPN’s World Café. This project will highlight the diversity of Acadiana’s music scene through monthly broadcasts over the course of a year, reaching 285 stations across the U.S.
Recipient: Basin Arts
Project: Window Wonderland: Traditions to Treasure
Basin Arts, with support from the Louisiana Project Grant, will partner with Downtown Lafayette to produce Window Wonderland, a month-long art installation in December 2024. The installation will feature visual art and dance performances showcased in the windows of downtown businesses.
Recipient: Atelier de la Nature
Project: 2024 Halloween Art & Nature Festival
With support from the Louisiana Project Grant, Atelier de la Nature will present the 2024 Halloween Art & Nature Festival, offering free arts and nature programs inspired by the vintage game “Creepy Crawlers.” The event will celebrate Halloween, Louisiana’s biodiversity, and Earth, culminating in a hands-on activity-filled day on October 26.
Recipient: NuNu Arts and Culture Collective, Inc.
Sub-Recipient: Joe Hall
Project: Joe Hall’s Creole Story – Creole Accordion Documentary
With Louisiana Project Grant funding, Joe Hall will create a 15-20 minute documentary film that explores the living tradition of Creole music in Southwest Louisiana through his experiences as a Creole accordionist. The documentary will feature musicians, mentors, students, and ancestors who continue to shape the region’s musical history.
Recipient: Louisiana Folk Roots
Project: Folk Roots Traditional Louisiana Music and Folk Arts Connections: Expanding Kids Camps through YEP and MIP Zoo Outreach
Louisiana Folk Roots, with support from the Louisiana Project Grant, will expand its traditional music and folk arts outreach with three initiatives: Kids Camps & Showcases, Youth Engagement Partners (YEP) band lab outreach, and the Music Instrument Petting Zoo (MIPZ) for public outreach.
Recipient: Louisiana Folk Roots
Project: Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week: Louisiana French Language in Vocal Music Performance
With support from the Louisiana Project Grant, Louisiana Folk Roots will introduce a new component to Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week in March 2025. This initiative will emphasize the use of Louisiana French in traditional vocal music, broadening the cultural impact of the event.
Recipient: Basin Arts
Project: ProjectSpace Residency @ Basin Arts
With Louisiana Project Grant funding, Basin Arts will continue its ProjectSpace Residency, an interdisciplinary program that supports local professional artists. Four residencies, each lasting three months, will be offered in 2025 to foster collaboration and artistic development in the Acadiana region.
Recipient: The Current
Sub-Recipient: Rachel Nederveld
Project: Louisiana Is Here (Working Title)
With support from the Louisiana Project Grant, Louisiana Is Here will produce eight 30-minute episodes of an audio documentary series, amplifying the voices of South Louisianians working on climate adaptation projects. Grant funding will support final production and the creation of promotional materials.
Recipient: School of Music and Performing Arts at University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Project: Gulf Streams: Celebrating Louisiana’s Musical and Sonic Landscapes
With support from the Louisiana Project Grant, the Gulf Streams radio show will explore Louisiana’s musical heritage and sonic landscapes through experimental soundscapes, live performances, and archival materials. The show will be broadcast on KRVS, offering unique perspectives on music and the environment.
Recipient: Iberia Cultural Resources Association
Project: Symphony Sunday in the Park
With support from the Louisiana Project Grant, the Symphony Sunday in the Park concert will be held on April 6, 2025, under the oaks of New Iberia City Park. The free concert by the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra will feature music from Hollywood to Broadway, providing entertainment for the entire community.
Recipient: Cajun Prairie Habitat Preservation Society
Project: Louisiana Prairie Film and Art Installation
With support from the Louisiana Project Grant, the Cajun Prairie Habitat Preservation Society will present the Cajun Prairie Experience art installation and screen the documentary film La Grande Prairie. These works will be showcased in venues across the eight parishes served by Region 4.
Recipient: Festivals Acadiens et Creole
Project: Scene Atelier – Workshop & Performance Stage
With support from the Louisiana Project Grant, Festivals Acadiens et Creole will present workshops and performances at Scene Atelier, one of the festival’s five stages. Taking place on October 12-13, 2024, the event will celebrate Cajun and Creole culture, focusing on educating attendees with limited access to the arts.
Recipient: Festival of Words Cultural Arts Collective
Project: Festival of Words 2024
With support from the Louisiana Project Grant, the Festival of Words 2024 will take place on November 8-9 in Grand Coteau, providing literary arts access to underserved communities in St. Landry Parish. The event will feature workshops, readings, and performances from diverse literary artists.
Recipient: CoCo Tribe of Canneci Tinne
Project: Canneci Tinne Ki Yati – Canneci Tinne Apache Dictionary
With support from the Louisiana Project Grant, the CoCo Tribe of Canneci Tinne will create the first edition of a Canneci Tinne Apache dictionary. This important work will help preserve the tribe’s language and provide insight into its historical ties to the Athapaskan language family.
Recipient: Atelier de la Nature
Project: Radio in the Prairie
With support from the Louisiana Project Grant, Radio in the Prairie will create 10 sample radio programs to launch Atelier de la Nature’s new community radio station. These short podcasts will help develop future programming and serve as outreach to potential sponsors and the community.
Recipient: Department of English at University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Project: Resonance and Groove: Afrofuturism in the US South
With support from the Louisiana Project Grant, the Resonance and Groove symposium will explore Afrofuturism’s role in reimagining Louisiana’s arts and culture. Through panels, workshops, performances, and exhibitions, the three-day event will examine how Black Southern art envisions alternative futures.
Recipient: Louisiana Crafts Guild
Project: Open Studio Acadiana
With support from the Louisiana Project Grant, the Open Studio Acadiana tour will take place on March 8-9, 2025, featuring over 35 venues across the Acadiana region. The free event will showcase artists in their studios, galleries, and other creative spaces, giving patrons an opportunity to connect with local art.
Recipient: Performing Arts Serving Acadiana, Inc.
Project: PASAble
With support from the Louisiana Project Grant, PASAble will bring Omnium Circus, the world’s most inclusive circus, to Acadiana. This project will normalize participation of people with disabilities in PASA performances and enrich the entire community through inclusive and diverse programming.
Recipient: Acadiana Cares
Sub-Recipient: Riley McCallum
Project: Catch on at the Kiki
With support from the Louisiana Project Grant, Riley McCallum will host a series of small community art-making events, culminating in a large-scale performance. Rooted in Underground Ballroom Culture, this project will educate Acadiana residents about this trans-BIPOC performance tradition.
Recipient: Southern Screen Film Festival, Inc.
Project: Southern Screen Shorts and Socials
With support from the Louisiana Project Grant, Southern Screen Shorts and Socials will take place at the Southern Screen Festival from November 21-24, 2024. The project will showcase short films and offer networking opportunities for filmmakers and artists, fostering creative collaboration and community engagement.
