According to a report issued by Louisiana’s Office of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Louisiana’s cultural sector accounts for 7.6 percent of Louisiana’s employment, making it the largest- second only to healthcare, and the fastest growing economic sector in the state.  Despite these findings, recent state budgetary cuts due to the national economic downturn have resulted in record decreases of $38 million to arts and culture funding, with decimating cuts to the state’s arts granting organizations.

As culture and creativity are being recognized as determining features of global competitiveness, CANO believes that growth in New Orleans’ creative economy is a viable and necessary means of economic recovery and development for the city’s residents, businesses, and communities.  Through business development and technical support to creative entrepreneurs, community based cultural economic development, and research and public education initiatives, CANO aims to secure sustained commitment for investment in the creative economy from private and public sectors.