AmeriCorps Instagram Live Series: Amplifying Black Voices of Service  

On Thursday, Feb. 10, Mashaera Alexander, an AmeriCorps member serving with the Mayor's Office of Cultural Economy, had the opportunity to partake in the premiere of a new AmeriCorps VISTA Instagram Live series titled Amplifying Black Voices of Service. Mashaera joined AmeriCorps VISTA Director Meg Ansara along with Carly Sipes, AmeriCorps VISTA Program Supervisor for the City of New Orleans, in a discussion to share her service experience, what led her to serve, and the impact service has had on her career aspirations. In her role as the Strategic Policy and Communications Associate, Mashaera is conducting research and gathering data on the six segments of the cultural economy in New Orleans. The project will culminate in a report highlighting the impact of the cultural sector on the city's overall economy. 

French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron Returns to the Stage April 21–24

Earlier this week, French Quarter Festival organizers announced that the annual event –which has an estimated economic impact of more than $100 million– would return to New Orleans once again after a two-year hiatus. The festival last took place in 2019, with a record-breaking attendance of over 800,000 people. A "Countdown to French Quarter Festival" press conference was held the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 15 at the Omni Royal Hotel. Emily Modero, President & CEO of French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI), announced the 2022 festival's four-day lineup, new initiatives, special events and programs, and other Festival extras. The 2022 Official Festival Poster was also unveiled by Morgan Valerie, Marketing and Communications Director for FQFI.

The complete schedule will be released in late March. Visit frenchquarterfest.org to view the full lineup now.

Community Book Discussion: Celebrating Black History in New Orleans and Beyond

One Book One New Orleans (OBONO) welcomes all to a series of virtual discussions of their 2022 selection, I Feel To Believe by Jarvis DeBerry. The first discussion titled “Celebrating Black History in New Orleans and Beyond,” will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 6:30 p.m. CST led by author A.E. Rooks. 

OBONO will begin a community book distribution of I Feel To Believe shortly after Carnival. Their goal is to distribute 900 copies of the book to adult education programs, incarcerated people, and other community groups by the end of the calendar year. Simply email onebooknola@gmail.com with the subject line "Community Book Request" to request copies for your classroom or organization. 

All who register for the upcoming discussion should check their e-mail the morning of Feb. 22 with the virtual meeting information. Register on Eventbrite. 

Food + Craft Vendor Applications Now Open for the Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival and Congo Square Rhythms Festival

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation is now accepting applications for food and craft vendors for the Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival and Congo Square Rhythms Festival, happening on March 26 and 27, 2022 at Louis Armstrong Park.

Deadline for both applications is Tuesday, Feb. 22.

Community Outreach Ticket Program 

Tête à Tête: A New Arts Business Consultancy Service from The Ella Project

The Ella Project is excited to launch its newest program, Tête à Tête. This program is an artist consultancy network designed to provide valuable business development resources to early- and mid-career artists by facilitating mentoring sessions with experienced, well-established artists equipped to provide guidance and share their expertise. Tête à Tête facilitates artist to artist peer consulting by hosting a network of seasoned arts professionals who are also skilled consultants to offer advice about your arts business career.

Artists can request assistance with issues such as social media, fundraising, nonprofit management, and much more! Visit ellateteatete.org to learn more about Tête à Tête, how it works, and to find a consultant.  

Immediate Opening for KID SmART Visual Arts Residency 

KID smART has an immediate opening for an artist in a visual arts integrated residency with middle school students in New Orleans East, 20 hours/ week and $30+/ hour through the end of the school year.

For more information, please email KID smART Program Manager Stephanie Heriger at stephanie@kidsmart.org. 

Rising Residency Office Hour 

Drop in between 10 a.m. and 11a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 23 to ask any questions about Rising: Climate in Crisis Residencies. Staff will be present to answer questions on the application process, living experience, residency theme, public engagement component, documentation, and beyond. 

Can’t make it? Questions can be directed at any time to info@astudiointhewoods.org. Register here. 

Apply for ByWater Institute Scholarly Retreats 

The ByWater Institute and A Studio in the Woods seek to enhance and support the scholarship, creativity and cross-disciplinary activity of Tulane researchers using the lens of any field or discipline to examine environmental challenges, issues, or questions. 

One-week residencies will be awarded during academic year 2022–23, providing a retreat for faculty and trainees across disciplines to work on a discrete project or scholarly pursuit that can be new or complementary to ongoing work.

Deadline to apply is Thursday, March 30, 2022. Details and application here. 

Indie Filmmaker Classes 2022

Registration for upcoming Indie Filmmaker courses with the New Orleans Video Access Center is now available on learn.novacvideo.org. Next in the lineup is "Nuts & Bolts of Producing a Doc" on Thursday, March 10. Producer Michael Gottwald will lead a course on the ins and outs of producing a documentary series from pitching to broadcast. He will share his experience producing PBS documentary series, Philly D.A. This is a great course for aspiring doc series creators as well as those with producing experience.

For more information, reach out to Filmmaker Program Support at jillian@novacvideo.org. 

Start Booking French Film Festival Tickets

In honor of its 25th anniversary, New Orleans French Film Festival returns to the Historic Prytania Theatre between March 11–17, 2022! Discover 22 films from 9 countries at The Prytania Theatre with some films also available to stream on the Virtual Cinema.The 25th New Orleans French Film Festival pays homage to the legendary Polish director Krzysztof Kieślowski and his Francophone magnum opus: Trois couleurs (Three Colors Trilogy). Festival tickets are now available for members, festival passholders, and the general public. 

Visit the official 2022 French Film Festival page on eventive.org to view the virtual cinema lineup and the Prytania Theatre schedule. Interested in volunteering? Learn more and sign up here.

Prospect.5 Triennial Audience Survey

Prospect New Orleans is seeking feedback from audiences about their recently-closed exhibition Prospect.5: Yesterday we said tomorrow. Please help them continue to improve their city-wide triennial exhibition by completing their audience survey. 

Take the survey and share your feedback here. 

New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund

The mission of the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund is to support cultural industries and culture bearers of the City of New Orleans through partnerships, grants, and programs to advance sustainable tourism.

Individuals and organizations who align with this mission may be eligible for funding. NOTCF will accept applications throughout 2021.

Visit notcf.com for more info.

Film New Orleans

Go to the Film New Orleans website if you have any questions regarding filming in New Orleans and/or to fill out a filming application.

NOVAC Workshops

If you’re interested in a career in filmmaking, or just interested in the art, head to novacvideo.org to sign up for remote lectures, seminars, and workshops dedicated to teaching the art of filmmaking.