December 17, 2009

As we say goodbye to the old year . . . one that presented the greatest challenge of a lifetime for the majority of the state’s cultural economy stakeholders. . . and greet a new year that will be even more challenging, we need to step forward with the same determination that thrust the Louisiana Partnership for the Arts into the forefront in 1993 when funding for the arts was zeroed out of the Governor’s budget.  Not satisfied to see Louisiana in last place in yet another area, dedicated volunteers around the state rallied under the banner of “$1 Per Person for the Arts” that resulted in the legislature passing sweeping legislation establishing the funding mechanism for Statewide Arts Grants and Decentralized Arts Funding Programs, propelling Louisiana overnight from #52 among the states and territories to #21 in per capita funding for cultural programming.  Over the last sixteen years, we’ve taken giant strides, increasing funding that enabled nonprofit community-based organizations throughout the state to provide access to professional artists and art educators to residents in some of the smallest and poorest towns in the nation while at the same time, returning monies to the state tax coffers at the rate of $6 to every $1 invested by the state in the Statewide Grants and Decentralized Arts Funding Programs.  Not a bad return on investment!

For years, the LPA, a 501c3 organization, worked to promote the growth of a strong creative workforce in Louisiana through two core initiatives, 1) providing educational workshops, networking events, and other professional development opportunities and 2) conducting community outreach and legislative advocacy to support the voice of Louisiana’s cultural industry.  Seeing the need to better accomplish these goals within the IRS guidelines, a 501c4 organization, the Louisiana Partnership for Arts Advocacy, was formed to receive membership dollars and oversee the advocacy initiative.  Now, as a member of LPAA, organizations and individuals automatically receive the benefits of professional development and education programs that the Louisiana Partnership for the Arts directs.

Last year, we experienced something akin to the that 1993 debacle when funding to the Office of Culture, Recreation and Tourism was slashed in the Governor’s budget to a level that would have crippled Louisiana’s tourism industry, resulting in the demise of the Decentralized Arts Funding Program, major cuts to Statewide Arts Grants and the closure of many of the state’s parks and historic sites.  Working closely with Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu’s office, the Louisiana Partnership for Arts Advocacy moved into the lead position of our dual organizations as LPAA board members met with over 100 legislators and provided testimony before the House Appropriations Committee.  Anticipating another legislative session that will require an even greater emphasis on advocacy, the LPAA will continue this dominant role with Dr. Gerd Wuestemann, Executive Director of Acadiana Center for the Arts, directing these efforts with Kip Holloway, Executive Director of the Red River Revel, developing a greater understanding of our mission to increase support and participation in these efforts by our membership. Having worked with both Gerd and Kip on last year’s advocacy campaign, I can assure you that they will put a winning team in place to “rally the troops” for the upcoming session!

Providing LPA with leadership in arts education falls to Dr. Patrick Widhalm, Executive Director of the Louisiana School for Math, Science and Art, whose position as a member the Steering Committee of the Lt. Governor’s Task Force for Arts Integration in Louisiana will strengthen our ability to deliver information to the field from state and national sources in a timely fashion.  Richard Read, The NOCCA Institute’s Director of Marketing, will use his expertise in programming professional development opportunities and “getting the word out” by assuring that our website is not only informative but a useful tool in promoting the growth of  a strong creative workforce.

Having served on the Executive Committee for years in various capacities, it is a great pleasure to now serve as Chairman of a Board of Directors comprised of talented individuals with whom I’ve worked for years in a combined effort to provide Louisiana residents with a vibrant cultural environment, 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!  If you have comments, suggestions or questions, please let us know.  Contact information for each of the board members is listed on the site and I know that I speak for each board member when I say that we look forward to hearing your ideas, suggestions or questions.

Looking forward to seeing you at the “Partnership” meetings throughout the year,

Sincerely,

Tommy Usrey