It is my great pleasure to serve as Chairman of a Board of Directors comprised of talented individuals with whom I’ve worked for years.  Their combined effort to provide Louisiana residents with a vibrant cultural environment is second to none in the nation.  Take a moment to look at the “Leadership” tab under the “About Us” . . . the Directors are a veritable “who’s who” of our industry.  I know that you will agree with me that we have assembled a strong team of skilled leaders, representing each region of the state, to guide us over the next two years!

Please save the following dates for the Partnership meetings for the 2010/2011 season:

• Tuesday, October 19, 2010 – 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM, Baton Rouge
• Wednesday, December 15, 2010 – 12:30 – 2:30 PM, Baton Rouge. Guest Speaker: John Abodeely, Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network
• Wednesday, February 23, 2011 – 12:30 – 2:30 PM, Baton Rouge.
• Regional Meetings will be scheduled in cooperation with the Regional Development Agencies from March 15 to April 15, 2011.  Please watch for more information on these meetings.  Members of the Board of Directors will be on hand at each meeting to provide an update on the “State of the Arts” and to gather information to help us better prepare for “Advocacy Day in the Capitol.”
• May 2011 – “Advocacy Day in the Capitol” – We are still working on this date, so stay tuned for further updates!  This will be the most important event of the year, one in which you must participate to make our collective voice heard in Baton Rouge!

If you have not joined LPAA yet this year, then please do so today.  It’s as easy as 1-2-3 and can all be done online if you prefer. Go to www.lparts.org and click “Join” in the black bar at the top of the page.  To renew your membership or join for the first time, just click on the “Donate” button on the right hand side to use your credit card or PayPal account.  To pay by check, download the Membership Application, complete it and mail it to the address on the form.  Thank you in advance for your support of the Louisiana Partnership for Arts Advocacy. Your contribution is essential to ensure that the arts in Louisiana remain a fundamental part of the lives and economy of the people of Louisiana.

The arts community throughout the state is still reeling from the devastation wrought by natural and man-made disasters.   Many of us – artists and arts organizations – are struggling to make ends meet.  Only YOUR membership contribution will make YOUR voice heard through our ongoing advocacy efforts on YOUR behalf.  Please remember to support your local arts organizations during this challenging time as well!

I know that you will all join me in welcoming Naomi Cordill as our new Administrative Coordinator.  Naomi comes from an extensive arts administrative background, having served on several boards of regional and statewide arts organizations and as Executive Director of The Princess Theatre in Winnsboro and the Monroe Symphony Orchestra in addition to her years of service to the presenters of the state as Coordinator of the Louisiana Presenters Network.

Contact information for each of the board members is listed on this website, and I know that I speak for each board member when I say that we need and look forward to hearing your ideas, suggestions or questions.

See you at our Partnership meetings!

Tommy Usrey
Chairman
Louisiana Partnership for Arts Advocacy
Louisiana Patnership for the Arts