New Orleans in 2009: A City Undergoing Transformation
Tuesday, October 20, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Organized by Carolyn Somers, executive director, Joan Mitchell Foundation; Roberta Uno, program officer, Media Arts and Culture, Ford Foundation.
Moderated by M.K. Wegmann, pesident & CEO of the National Performance Network. Presented by Carolyn Somers; Roberta Uno, program officer for media, arts and culture, Ford Foundation; Edward Buckner, director, The Porch 7th Ward Cultural Organization; Jordan Hirsch, executive director, Sweet Home New Orleans; Jeanne Nathan, president, Creative Alliance of New Orleans; Jay Weigel, executive/artistic director, Contemporary Arts Center.
While there is still much to be done, the artists and arts organizations of New Orleans are moving ahead in amazing ways to strengthen the infrastructure of support for artists and consequently aid in the revitalization of the city.
Moderated by M.K. Wegmann, President & CEO of the National Performance Network, this session will look at how artists of all disciplines are moving beyond recovery and into a period of renaissance through arts education, creative collaborations and unique initiatives that put artists first.
Much of what is being done in New Orleans can be a model for positive change and inspire funders and arts administrators in their work across the country. The four examples being discussed in this session range from a 501(c)(3) to an association of organizations. They have as a common denominator their passion to help the artists and arts community in New Orleans and the fact that they have all been organized or established since the 2005 hurricanes.
Panelists will share not only the ways that individual artists are supported and engaged through their programming, but also the positive impact that each has had on its neighbors and community over the last few years.
- Edward Buckner: Executive Director of The Porch 7th Ward Cultural Organization, (founded in 2006). The Porch seeks to promote and sustain the cultures of the neighborhood, city, and region and to foster exchange between cultural groups.
- Jordan Hirsch: Executive Director of Sweet Home New Orleans (founded in the fall of 2005). Sweet Home New Orleans is a non-profit whose mission is to support the individuals and organizations that will perpetuate New Orleans’ unique musical and cultural traditions.
- Jeanne Nathan: President of CANO (Creative Alliance of New Orleans) discussing the Studios at Colton School a project of CANO from 10/31/08 – 7/31/09. The purpose of Studio at Colton School was to create an innovative and educational working studio and presentation environment that provided both studio and exhibition space to facilitate the creative activity of New Orleans area artists of all disciplines and students in a collaborative workshop environment.
- Jay Weigel: Executive/Artistic Director of the Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans – speaking on behalf of CVAANO – (the Contemporary Visual Arts Association of New Orleans) (the group started meeting in fall of 2007). CVAANO is an association of visual arts organizations that have come together to provide an avenue for collaboration of contemporary art institutions in New Orleans in identifying and advancing visibility of the City as a center for contemporary art.
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