JazzAscona 2023 Recap

The 2023 JazzAscona Festival in Ascona, Switzerland took place from Thursday, Jun. 22 – Saturday, Jul. 1, 2023. The festival is dedicated to jazz and New Orleans Beat, JazzAscona attracts an enthusiastic audience who appreciates the richness of the program, the relaxed atmosphere of the festival, and the Lake Maggiore as a wonderful background to great open-air concerts.

Deputy Director of Arts & Culture from the Mayor's Office of Cultural Economy, Alana Harris, was able to attend JazzAscona 2023 on behalf of the City of New Orleans. Ms. Harris was able to keep the Sister City Agreement New Orleans has with Ascona healthy by partnering with Adonis Rose and other local musicians to highlight Cultural Exchange and bring joy to those who attended JazzAscona.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell traveled to Ascona, Switzerland on Saturday, Jun. 25, 2022, to sign the Sister City Agreement between New Orleans and Ascona. "I appreciate and welcome this cultural exchange of music, art, and ideas, while simultaneously sharing the richness and diversity of New Orleans." Mayor Cantrell stated at the time. Through this agreement, Mayor Cantrell and Mayor of Ascona Luca Pissoglio are able to share valuable resources and approaches in economics, education, and culture.

To view a video of the opening ceremony of JazzAscona 2023, visit this YouTube link. To read more regarding Mayor Cantrell's Sister City Agreement signing, visit nola.gov. For more information regrading the JazzAscona festival in the future, please visit jazzascona.ch.

Evening Open Studios

Join the Joan Mitchell Center for an evening of Open Studios on Friday, Jul. 21 from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m., for an informal opportunity for the public to meet the current Artists-In-Residence and learn more about their work.

All are welcome and refreshments will be served. This event will take place in the studio building and includes a performance by Lucia Honey in her studio at 8 p.m.

To learn more about the Artists-In-Residence, the Joan Mitchell Center, or the mask policy in the Center, please visit joanmitchellfoundation.org.

2024 Visual Artist in Residency Registration Closing Soon

The Joan Mitchell Center is currently accepting applications for 2024 visual artist in residencies, with a submission deadline of Monday, Jul. 31, 2023.

Eligible artists must either be based in New Orleans (for the last five years) or native to New Orleans, or be a former grant recipient of the Joan Mitchell Foundation based anywhere in the United States. 

To find the full list of guidelines, a video walkthrough of the application process, or to apply, please visit joanmitchellfoundation.org.

KUUMBA Culminating Program

Join the Ashé Cultural Arts Center this Friday, Jul. 21 from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. for its Kuumba Culminating Program! All summer, Ashé's Kuumba Kids have been engaging in interactive, cultural, and educational programming and can't wait to showcase what they've learned!

Bring ya coins for the young entrepreneurs, who will be selling their art, items, and snacks at Kid's Vendor Market!

To learn more about the KUUMBA ACADEMY or find additional information regarding the event, please visit ashenola.org.

Dancing Grounds Summer 23' Camp Showcase

Come and support the young campers of Dancing Grounds as they showcase all the hard work they put in over the month of July on Friday, Jul. 21 from 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Their final performance of Africa, ballet, hip hop, jazz, and modern dances, plus some youth-choreographed talent show moments. A reception with light refreshments will follow performances.

To purchase tickets or find additional information, please visit eventbrite.com.

NOLA Youth Town Hall

Young people's voices need to be front and center in our movements for change. The NOLA Youth Town Hall is a space where teens from across New Orleans can come together to strategize about what they need to make New Orleans a safe and supportive place for youth to thrive. The town hall takes place on Saturday, Aug. 5 from 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at the André Cailloux Center for Performing Arts and Cultural Justice.

This event will provide young people with a platform to talk about the issues impacting their communities and connect them with youth development organizations and wellness activities aligned with their future interests and needs.

The program will contain: free food, music, school supplies giveaway, Movement Activation and Performance by the Dance for Social Change Teen Company, and much more!

To register for this event, please visit Eventbrite.com.

Black Osceolas Exhibit

The courtyard of Rising Sun will exhibit a collection of Black Osceolas art, past suits, portraits and beaded canvases on Saturday, Jul. 22 from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. The exhibit is a self-guided tour throughout the venue.

Enjoy the cultivating sounds of songs like, "Indian Red", grab a refreshing, curated cocktail from the cash bar, grab your friend and take in all of the beauty and culture that surrounds you.

Don't forget to stick around for the Q&A panel discussion led by Chief Zee, Queen Kelly and Wildman.

To reserve your spot at the Courtyard of Rising Sun to enjoy this exhibit, please register at Eventbrite.com.

Tales of the Cocktail 2023^®

^{With hundreds of opportunities developed specifically for industry professionals from bartenders to distillers, Tales of the Cocktail is the drinks industry's annual meeting place for exchanging new ideas, products, and techniques featuring in-person education, tastings, networking, and awards programming.}

^{Since 2002, the global spirits community has gathered in the heart of the French Quarter for Tales of the Cocktail®. What started as an annual walking tour of historic New Orleans cocktail bars has now become the world’s leading cocktail conference.}

^{This conference takes place from Sunday, Jul. 23 – Friday, Jul. 28, 2023!}

^{To purchase tickets or find additional information, please visittalesofthecocktail.org.}

Bridging the Divide: Reading Between the Lines of Youth Crime in New Orleans

One Book One New Orleans encourages everyone to RSVP for a special panel discussion inspired by this year's book selection, The Ones Who Don't Say They Love You by Maurice Carlos Ruffin, which takes place on Tuesday, Jul. 25 at 7 p.m.

The discussion will take an insightful journey into the heart of the book's short stories and the motivations behind its complex characters. Facilitator Tiffany Crawford will be joined by Bryon Goodwin, Director of Travis Hill School in New Orleans, and Mrs. Ann Duplessis, Senior Vice President of Liberty Bank and former Louisiana State Senator.

To RSVP for this event or find additional information, please visit Eventbrite.com.

360 Deals and the Music Biz

360 deals in the music business are encompassing deals between artist and industry that can be beneficial, but can also be misunderstood.

On Thursday, Jul. 27 at 1 p.m., join attorney Ryan Long who has been representing pioneering tech/media clients since 2006, to discuss:

• What exactly is a 360 deal?
• What rights are usually included?
• At what point in an artists career would these deals be helpful?
• What aspects of the deal should artists pay particular attention to?
• Plus your questions!

This webinar will take place via Zoom and is free to attend. To register for this webinar, please email gene@ellanola.org.

Summer Fun Adult Writing Contest

The New Orleans Public Library wants your short story or poem for the 2023 Summer Fun Adult Writing Contest. This year's theme is "renewal." 

Contestants can interpret the theme any way they'd like, from rekindling a friendship, to rebuilding after a storm, to renewing books on your library card.

Winning entries will be selected on originality, quality, and relevance to the theme. Three winners in each category will receive an Amazon Gift Card. First place wins $100, Second place wins $50, and third place wins $25.

The submission deadline for all writing styles is Monday, Jul. 31, 2023.

To view submission guidelines, additional information, or submit your writing, please visit nolalibrary.com.

Summer Teacher Training

The New Orleans Video Access Center (NOVAC) is hosting a two-part training for educators to 1) deepen their digital media content knowledge and technical skills in Adobe Photoshop and/or Adobe Premiere Pro. 2) and how to create a rigorous and engaging learning environment that prepares young people for a creative career.

Part 1 takes place on Monday, Jul. 31 – Aug. 2, and will instruct trainees to immerse themselves in the core concepts of digital media production, learn image editing, graphic design, and video editing techniques using Adobe Photoshop and/or Premiere Pro.

Part 2 takes place on Thursday, Aug. 3 – Friday, Aug. 4, and will enhance trainees' teaching skills and show them how to create engaging digital media lessons!

To find more information regarding the training program or register, please use this Google Doc.

Youth Digital Media After-School Program

NOVAC is offering a Visual Arts/ Graphic Design rigorous high school credit course meant to introduce students to the world of visual design and prepare them for the Adobe Photoshop Professional Certification exam.

Students will gain hands-on experience with Photoshop and learn foundational skills and concepts needed to effectively communicate using digital media tools.

Classes will begin on Tuesday, Sep. 5 and will end on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. Classes will meet in-person at NOVAC on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Transportation services are available.

To find additional information or register your child for this course, please use this Google Doc.

The Selley Foundation Grant Applications Now Open!

To improve the lives of people in the Greater New Orleans area, The Selley Trustees review grant requests in the following program areas: Arts & Culture, education, and the environment. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023.

Selley supports nonprofits serving the greater New Orleans area with an emphasis on capital needs, but occasionally will consider programmatic requests. In the Arts & Culture sector, the Fund will support organizations that strive for excellence.

In general, Selley does not make grants to support athletics, annual operating funds or budgets, special events, or fundraising benefits.

To view application guidelines, find additional information, or to apply, please visit gnof.org.

2023 Production Grant

Southern Documentary Fund (SDF) announces a call for entries for the 2023 SDF Production Grant. The call for production grant proposals is open effective immediately and will close on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. 

Five filmmakers will be awarded $10,000 each, totaling $50,000. 

SDF is also hosting two grant information session. These sessions will give an overview of the grant, eligibility requirements, and tips for writing a successful application. The first session takes place on Monday, Jul. 31 beginning at 12 p.m., and the second session takes place on Tuesday, Aug. 15 beginning at 3 p.m. Each session will take place on Zoom and will be recorded to be made available later.

To register for the first information session, click here. To register for the second session, click here. To view submission guidelines, find additional information, or apply, please visit southerndocumentaryfund.org.

Applications Now Open for IDEAinstitute Fall 2023!

IDEAinstitute is an idea-stage accelerator program that introduces innovative entrepreneurs and potential startup founders to the tools they need to turn an idea into a scalable venture.

Founders will walk away from the program with a plan to build a business following the Lean Startup Methodology and meet a community of like-minded founders along the away.

The program is run in a hybrid format with each week's session running virtually and with opportunities to engage in person in the final week.

The Fall 2023 cohort starts the week of Sep. 4, 2023 and runs through Nov. 26, 2023. Applications are open now and close on Friday, Aug. 25! 

To find more information regarding the IDEAinstitute program, please visit ideavillage.org.  To apply to be apart of the Fall 2023 cohort, complete this Airtable page.

LAMcon 2023 Registration Now Open!

The purpose of the Louisiana Association of Museums is to foster a robust professional museum community in the State of Louisiana that is dedicated to education, cultural and recreational opportunities for all Louisianans, researchers and visitors to the state.

The Louisiana Association of Museum's annual conference supports its vision by bringing museum and institutional professionals together for a few days of networking and knowledge building. This year's LAMcon takes place in New Orleans from Sunday, Sep. 10 – Tuesday, Sep. 12. 

To register for this event or find additional information, please visit lamuseums.org.

Preparedness Grants Available from PAR

The Performing Arts Readiness (PAR) project is offering resources that assist organizations with emergency planning and contribute to their sustainability during crises.

Among PAR's offerings are: 

• Grants of up to $7,5000 for 24 performing arts organizations for the creation of individual institutional emergency preparedness or Continuity of Operations (CoOp) plans.
• Grants of $5,000 – $25,000 each will be awarded for 7 projects to support both the development of new or emerging disaster preparedness networks that include performing arts and culture organizations, or the expansion of existing networks to increase participation among performing arts organizations.
• Three Emergency Preparedness Consultant/Circuit Riders to work directly with performing arts organizations on a local level, providing expertise, training, consulting and mentoring to staffs and Boards regarding effective emergency preparedness.

To view submission guidelines or apply to any grants, please visit performingartsreadiness.org.

Film New Orleans

Film New Orleans is the official permitting agency for filming in the city. If you plan to film in Orleans Parish, please go to www.filmneworleans.org to learn more and to submit an application. 

If you’re interested in working on film productions as a crew member, Film New Orleans in partnership with IATSE 478 sponsors Workforce Training Programs with NOVAC. Head to novacvideo.org to sign up for remote lectures, seminars, and workshops dedicated to teaching the art of filmmaking.

New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund

The mission of the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund (NOTCF) 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.

Visit notcf.com for more info.