The Louisiana Division of the Arts has announced redistricting changes for Northwest Louisiana and Northeast Louisiana Regional Arts Councils. Lincoln Parish will become part of the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council Region, known as Region 8. Susannah Johannsen announced the change at the recent meeting of the Louisiana State Arts Council, explaining, “Lincoln Parish has a rich and vibrant arts community that has been well served by the Shreveport Regional Arts Council. The redistricting of Lincoln Parish is due to the close proximity to the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council with offices in West Monroe (20 minutes), and we are excited to see those close ties expanded to offer new and different opportunities for our artists and arts organizations.” The transition is effective April 1, 2023.
In 1995, the Louisiana Division of the Arts defined nine (9) regions of the State, each with a Regional Arts Council that would oversee the artistic development of the region. The mapping was accompanied with grant funds for the arts organizations and nonprofit organizations that produce Arts Programs. The regional funding formula was based upon the population of the Parishes in the respective Regions. The grant funding process is now known as the Louisiana Project Grants program and awards up to $5,000 in funds for outstanding community Arts projects that benefit the citizens of each Region. The 2023/2024 LPG granting cycle applications open April 1, 2023. Arts organizations, Universities/Colleges, City, and nonprofit organizations in Lincoln Parish will now apply through the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council.
A recent assessment of the regional districts revealed opportunities for the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council, headquartered in West Monroe to more effectively serve the artists and arts organizations in Ruston. Barry Stevens, President and CEO for the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council explains, “So many Ruston area artists exhibit, perform, participate in conferences, festivals, arts markets, and sell their work in Monroe / West Monroe. Conversely, many artists from parishes already served by the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council have been welcomed in Lincoln Parish. This just seems like a natural evolution of our relationship.”
The Northeast Louisiana Arts Council will now serve 12 Parishes in the Northeast region of the state and is renowned for regional programming and capacity development of artists and arts organizations.
Pam Atchison, Executive Director for the Shreveport Regional Arts Council observes, “This is a bittersweet transition. While it is great to see the closer communication and “immediate response” that the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council can provide, it has been an honor for the Shreveport Regional Arts Council to provide direct opportunities for Ruston artists such as Doug Walton, Nick Bustamante, Dean Dablow, Rodrecas Davis (a Grambling State University professor and Monroe resident), who have had major exhibitions and participated in the Arts Markets/Studios in ARTSPACE, our center for the creation and presentation of all of the Arts.” Atchison noted that in 2009 Louisiana Tech’s Theatre Department created a theatrical production of “Grapes of Wrath” and more than 25 Lincoln Parish artists created immersive experiences commemorating the Great Depression through “Triumph Over Tragedy.” This unique program was a collaborative effort with the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council.
In 2020 the Shreveport Regional Arts Council and Grambling State University collaborated to create an HBCU “HOMECOMING” identifying and showcasing the Alumni artists who have gone on to pursue a professional arts career. Another major area of participation by Ruston artists is the annual open exhibition, CRITICAL MASS. In its 11th year, the Exhibition welcomes all Northwest Louisiana artists to exhibit one work (Visual, Literary, and/or Performing) and receive critical review by published critics who are forced to determine the work that most warrants a solo exhibition of a full body of work by the selected artist. Atchison laments, “Since Critical Mass is a showcase of the wealth of Artists in NorthWEST Louisiana, sadly, this year’s exhibition will be the last that will include Lincoln Parish artists. However, we are thankful for the artists to see expanded opportunities through the NorthEAST Louisiana Arts Council! Barry Stevens is a force for good for artists and arts organizations.”
The Louisiana Division of the Arts has served Louisiana’s Arts community since 1977 by providing programs, services and support to individual artists and a variety of arts and cultural organizations. It is the responsibility of the Louisiana Division of the Arts to support established arts institutions, nurture both emerging arts organizations and our overall cultural economy. “We look forward to new opportunities for the Lincoln Parish artists and arts organizations as we transition this parish to Region 8, served by the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council,” stated Johannsen. Stevens enthusiastically adds, “This is an exciting new adventure for the Northeastern part of our State with a new influx of creatives, artists, and arts events to share and celebrate.”
