About
The Creative Alliance of New Orleans was conceived in 2005 as a professional association of local artists and cultural practitioners of all disciplines to elevate awareness among regional policy makers and the business community of the intrinsic and essential value that creative and cultural workers and products bring to the identity and economy of New Orleans. Before and after Hurricane Katrina, founder Jeanne Nathan organized a series of meetings including a representative of each creative discipline to collaboratively formulate the role and mission of what became the Creative Alliance of New Orleans (CANO), a Louisiana nonprofit incorporated in January 2008. The current mission is The Creative Alliance of New Orleans works to enhance the career opportunities of creative artists and producers in New Orleans, and to stimulate greater understanding of the key role our creative economy plays in the city
In 2009 CANO successfully planned, developed and managed a temporary cultural space in New Orleans, known as the Studio at Colton. With significant support from the Recovery School District (RSD), CANO repurposed a vacant public school building into a multi-tenant facility that provided studio and office spaces for over 160 creative professionals and cultural community organizations. In exchange for the space, tenants provided project-based arts training and educational programs to public school students (100+) enrolled in RSD schools and as well as adults. Artists formed collaborative relationships that resulted in interdisciplinary projects, and innovations in individuals’ art practices. Through their studios and an on-site gallery, artists were able to present works of art to the public. Theatrical and musical performances were successfully staged in the auditorium, produced by both tenants and outside production companies. The facility was an official exhibition site during the 2009 Prospect 1 International Arts Biennial. Close to 20,000 arts-oriented tourists and residents visited Studio at Colton, demonstrating CANO’s success at engaging the public to learn about and support local artists and cultural organizations. CANO’s Studio at Colton was received with overwhelming enthusiasm by New Orleans artists, stakeholders, and residents, as well as public officials, and local and national news media.
arts+gardens+new orleans began in the fall of 2009. This program is a four-month marketing campaign that highlights cultural and garden venues, performances and exhibitions including major museums, theater groups, musical venues, neighborhood cultural venues, public art, parks and garden sites. The goal of this initiative is to market the city as a major cultural destination and to celebrate the full range of the arts presented and produced in New Orleans. Art Home New Orleans is one event that CANO produces in conjunction with arts+gardens+new orleans. Art Home New Orleans showcases homeowners’ art collections, local artist studios and pop-up art salons throughout New Orleans. The citywide tours took place for the first time in 2010 during the first two weekends of December and featured over 50 unique homes and studios. CANO also created a series of workshops to discuss the importance of art collecting by some of New Orleans most well-known curators and collectors.
In 2010 CANO focused on public education and facilitating networking between artists and the business, civic and public communities. Over 80 arts organizations were convened in “21 for the 21st Century” to prepare and endorse a creative economy platform for the last municipal election. The consensus helped candidates to understand the needs and aspirations of the city’s cultural producers such as protecting the city’s traditional culture, welcoming cultural innovation, and growing the ability of all to earn a living. Most mayoral and council candidates endorsed the platform publicly. The platform informed the Mayor’s transition plan for the cultural economy.
In August 2010 on the fifth Anniversary of Katrina, CANO convened the “K5 Roundtable” a discussion between cultural leaders, artists and stakeholders on the role that arts, culture, and creative industries have played in the rebuilding of New Orleans neighborhoods and economy. The roundtable was presented to national media and the public. Also in 2010, CANO was handpicked by Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s transition team to curate visual and entertainment elements for his inaugural ball. CANO helped develop the “Celebration of Neighborhoods Gala” by producing art installations showcasing the creative community from diverse neighborhoods to public, business and community leaders.
In 2011 CANO focused on planning and developing a Multi-Tenant Arts Facility in the 8th Ward, a underserved neighborhood hard hit by Katrina. This facility will provide offices, studios, rehearsal, performance and exhibition space for small and mid-sized arts organizations (nonprofits) and independent artists as well as the Faubourg Marigny Neighborhood Association, a partner in the development. These shared resources will allow organizations and artists to organize their work more effectively and better serve their constituents and communities. The development of the 8th Ward CCC will provide an economy of scale for small non-profit administrative needs, and will be an important contributing factor to the success of these organizations. Junebug Productions, CubaNOLA, ArtSpot Productions, Crescent City Youth Theatre, Mondo Bizarro, Stage to Stage, Pelican Bomb, Contemporary Visual Arts Association of New Orleans (CVAANO) and other arts organizations have expressed interest in renting office, rehearsal, studio, and performance space. CANO has partnered with the National Performance Network (NPN), and Young Audiences to develop the project.
Additionally in 2011, CANO designed a professional development workshop for creative and cultural producers. In August, 2011 the Andy Warhol Foundation confirmed that CANO had received a grant to host the Creative Capital Workshop. This workshop lasts three days and presents intensive training in strategic planning, funding, budgeting, marketing and promoting artists’ work. CANO plans on using elements from this highly lauded workshop to further develop our local professional development pilot program. The Good Work Network and Accion Texas-Louisiana have partnered with CANO to develop excellent business management education as well as facilitate small loan opportunities to qualified participants of the program. We plan to offer this in-depth program at least once a year.
