Cultural Economy Initiative, CREATE, Hosts Series of Community Discussions
CREATE Fellows lead public assessment of Food, Film, Dance, Arts, Theatre and Music industries in Lafayette Parish to guide funding.
Lafayette, LA - As part of the ongoing efforts to support and grow Lafayette’s cultural and recreational contributions in strengthening and diversifying the local economy, CREATE Lafayette invites the public to a series of community discussions. Featuring various cultural economy industries, the series is lead by CREATE Fellows as a continuation of public meetings hosted by CREATE, representing Culture, Recreation, Entertainment, Arts, Tourism and Economy. The meetings are to help guide the investments of CREATE in a transparent and need-driven strategy to provide job growth and professional development. The meetings will guide public interaction in identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to these industries, and how citizens can best support these communities and their creators in Lafayette Parish through CREATE.
The CREATE Fellows will help lead important discussions to generate more awareness of the people, places and things that contribute to our cultural economy. Attendees will also learn about the direct, effective use of CREATE funding dedicated by Lafayette Parish voters in 2017 to strengthen and support these industries and professions. Learn more about the 2019 CREATE Fellows.
CREATE Community Discussion Series
TOPIC
DATE & TIME
LOCATION
July 24
12 p.m.
Basin Arts
113 Clinton St.
July 30
5 p.m.
Acadiana Center for the Arts
101 W. Vermilion St.
August 6
6:30 p.m.
Cité des Arts
109 Vine St.
FILM
August 22
6 p.m.
AOC COMMUNITY MEDIA
101 Jefferson St.
August 26
6 p.m.
Laura's II
1904 W University Ave.
August 28
6 p.m.
Lafayette Public Library
301 W. Congress St.
“As CREATE begins to implement its long-term vision, identifying what we have already and where we can grow along with our challenges and threats is a key step for all of Lafayette to take together. These meetings are an opportunity for the citizens of Lafayette Parish to guide the conversation and investment of CREATE by offering everyone an equal seat at the table,” said Kate Durio of CREATE Lafayette and the Chief Cultural Officer for Lafayette Consolidated Government.
These meetings will also assist in implementing an ArtWorks Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts awarded to CREATE in February 2019 for the CREATE Asset Inventory portal. Expected to launch in September 2019, this portal will allow the public to search artists, musicians, venues, services and organizations. The portal will also serve the parish’s cultural and recreational assets by allowing the ability to update or improve their listing. Through the portal, CREATE will have the ability to track successes, assist with impact reporting, and share data with the public and grantors for a more comprehensive and inclusive inventory of what Lafayette has to offer.
To fill out an asset survey and share with other assets visit http://createlafayette.la/asset-inventory/.
Those who cannot attend these meetings but would like to set up their own meeting to discuss CREATE are encouraged to email create@lafayettela.gov to schedule. For more information about CREATE, visit www.createlafayette.la to learn about the vision, mission and key strategies, read the 2018 annual report and learn more about ongoing initiatives.
Studies show that our local culture provides for the second largest economy and employer in Lafayette Parish. Through sustained focus, CREATE aims to further galvanize and diversify commerce associated with artistic, cultural and recreational opportunities in the area for more jobs and greater community economic prosperity.