Press Release: Tremendous show of support at CECNO Platform Announcement
For Immediate Release
January 20, 2009
Contact:
Jeanne Nathan: 504 218 4807
Rashida Ferdinand: 504 975 5168
City-wide and Neighborhood-based Cultural Organizations
Aim for Greater Investment in Cultural Development
Candidates speak about priorities outlined in the Joint Platform
NEW ORLEANS JAN 20–In an unprecedented show of unity, over 60 organizations contributed to or endorsed a platform of actions for the new mayor and council. They recommend such measures as a new city agency for the arts, cultural centers in neighborhoods, dedicated and expanded funding, and a focus on education, career development and work force training, all aimed to improve the earning ability of creative producers of all disciplines in the city, and to improve the city’s overall economic prospects.
Click here to download and read the Joint Platform (PDF)
The Contemporary Arts Center today hosted various members of the gathering of cultural economy
Luther Grey, contributor to the platform, speaks to the power of art and performances in public places
organizations, local artists along with key cultural leaders to present the platform which aims to expand and support the economic opportunities available to the visual and performing artists, designers and producers, architects, landscape and interior designers, apparel and jewelry designers, furniture makers, building and preservation arts professionals, and culinary artists who have created the cultural fabric of our city.
“We have made much progress in support of our culture bearers and producers in the last quarter of the 20th century, and in the first decade of the 21st. But we are still not “at the table” of policy makers in the public, non-profit and private sectors in a way that reflects the importance of our creative output to the city’s economy, culture, and quality of life,” said Rasheda Ferdinand of the Contemporary Visual Arts Association of New Orleans.
Cultural leaders and organizations representing all of the creative disciplines throughout the city came together to develop a united platform representing what they see as priorities for new administration in city hall, and the council so we can continue to stimulate cultural change through music, visual and media arts, and design.
“Arts are catalytic, it’s the rising tide that lifts all boats,” said Carol Bebelle Executive Director of the Ashe cultural center. After Ms. Bebelle and several other supporters of New Orleans’ arts scene spoke the candidates for mayor and city council spoke of their experiences in the arts and how they intend to address the concerns of our citizens.
All the candidates in attendance endorsed the platform and also had some ideas of their own such as the creation of an agency to support the arts, dedication of city funding to the local cultural economy and placing a greater focus on the arts as an engine for economic development to benefit New Orleans. In attendance were Virginia Blanque, Rob Couhig, John Georges, Cynthia Willard-Lewis, Stacey Head, Denis Holden, Nadine Ramsey, Jackie Clarkson, Jerrelda Drummer-Sanders, Nolan Marshall and Joe Butler, representing Kristin Palmer.
