Cultural industries have increasingly been recognized as one of the leading economic clusters in the Louisiana economy. Is your business a part of the cultural economy? The definition of Louisiana’s cultural economy reflects the state’s unique culture, the diversity of its residents, its rich history, and the broad range of cultural products. Louisiana’s cultural economy encompasses:
The people, enterprises, and communities that transform cultural skills, knowledge, and ideas into economically productive goods, services,and places. It includes culinary arts, design, entertainment, literary arts and humanities, preservation, and visual arts and crafts.
In promoting awareness, the East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce, City of Slidell, Slidell Art League, Olde Towne Art Center, Slidell Little Theater, St. Tammany Parish Cultural Affairs and others have come together to form the East St. Tammany Cultural Economy Coalition. The mission of the East St. Tammany Cultural Economy Coalition was formed is to facilitate growth, development and increased awareness of the cultural economy and its impact by focusing on coalition building, public policy, business support, outreach and arts education.
The Coalition, working together with Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu, the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, and the Office of Cultural Development, promotes cultural districts in Louisiana. A “cultural district” as defined by 2007 law is “a district designated by a local governing authority for the purpose of revitalizing a community by creating a hub cultural activity, which may include affordable artist housing and work space. A cultural district shall be geographically contiguous and distinguished by cultural resources that play a vital role in the life and cultural development of a community.
Slidell’s Olde Towne was designated a Cultural District in October of 2008, and is now one of 39 such districts in the state. The primary goal of this growing statewide initiative is to spark community revitalization based on cultural activity though tax incentives. It allows income and corporate franchise tax credits for eligible expenses for rehabilitation of owner-occupied or revenue generating historic structures, as well as provides an exemption from sales and use taxes for proceeds received from the sale of original, one-of-a-kind works of art from locations established within the Cultural District.
The Coalition has many exciting events planned for the month of August. Mayor Ben Morris will be the first to tell you, he's no artist. Ask Police Chief Freddy Drennan about his artistic skills and you're sure to get a chuckle. The same holds true for many of the local, state and federal elected officials, media personalities and community business leaders who are tapping into their inner artists for the City of Slidell's third annual Cultural Extravaganza. The event will be held Saturday, August 22, from 7 to 11 p.m. in the Slidell Municipal Auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information, please call the Department of Cultural and Public Affairs (985) 646-4375. Their works of art, fondly referred to as the city's "Super Bowls," are just one component of the evening, which promises to be both enlightening and entertaining. The event will also feature exhibits from local visual and performing arts organizations, original works by some of the area's most respected artists, live entertainment and an eight-course meal, with each course prepared by a different culinary "artist."
"We think the Super Bowl exhibit is a fitting opening reception for the new gallery, as it brings together the arts community, legislators and community business leaders, who are all joining forces to show their support of the arts as a vital component of our community," says Kim Bergeron, Director of the Cultural and Public Affairs Department. The new gallery will be opening during the Open House of the City Hall on August 7th from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., Olde Towne Alive will also be ongoing that evening with “Who’s on First and What’s on Second”.
The Chamber is hosting its Cultural Economy Luncheon on August 19th with live jazz music and art displays. Headline speaker, Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu, will formally announce the East St. Tammany Cultural Coalition and cut the ribbon on the Main Street designation for Olde Towne Slidell. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. for networking and art viewing.
Geaux Tigers!!! Don’t miss the 2009 LSU Championship Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri at the East St. Tammany Chamber Second Wednesday Luncheon on August 12 at the Harbor Center. For your reservations for these Champion Chamber Events call Kay at 985-643-5678 or visit our website at www.estchamber.com!