Brownfields Workshop ~ September 28, 2017 Louisiana Cultural Districts Office of the Lt. Governor Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism Office of Cultural Development Division of the Arts Thanks for the opportunity to share information about the Cultural District program. It was created as a part of the Cultural Economy Initiative. It is managed by the Office of Cultural Development in the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism under the Office of the Lt. Governor of Louisiana.

Cultural Economy Initiative Sustaining the people who create and preserve artistic and cultural products and assets Enhancing capacity for production Developing new markets for their creations The Cultural Economy Initiative is based on the belief that our artists and cultural workers are Louisiana’s greatest natural resources! We want Louisiana to be a place that supports and celebrates our cultural workers – the people who create the art and sustain the culture of Louisiana -- our artists, musicians, writers, designers, performers, and our chefs.

Cultural Districts Purpose Benefits For local governments to revitalize communities by creating locally driven hubs of cultural activity Benefits Increased cultural activity, occupancy, commerce, jobs, rehab buildings, and sense of community identity The Cultural District program is a tool for towns and neighborhoods to capitalize on their unique assets, to increase production of creative goods, and provide new markets for cultural products. There are economic benefits associated with being a cultural district. The districts are seeing more cultural events that attract bigger crowds, increased occupancy, new businesses and jobs, rehabilitated buildings put back into commerce, and a stronger sense of community identity.

Culture Means Business 2015-nonprofit arts & culture industries generated $166.3 billion of economic activity AFTA - Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 4.6 million jobs and $27.5 billion in revenue to local, state, and federal governments Creative Vitality Index Louisiana – 145K jobs, $4.9 billion earnings Americans for the Arts published its 5th study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry's impact on the economy~Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 Nationally, the nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $166.3 billion of economic activity during 2015. This activity supported 4.6 million jobs and generated $27.5 billion in revenue to local, state, and federal governments There is a misconception that communities support of arts and culture is done at the expense of local economic development. In fact, communities are investing in an industry that supports jobs, generates government revenue, and is the cornerstone of tourism. Arts Mean Business! OCD secured access to the Creative Vitality Suite, a data service of Westaf. 2015 figures indicate there are 145K jobs in Louisiana in the “cultural industries representing $4.9 billion in earnings. This figure is impressive as it stands, but it is actually lower than reality -- many of our musicians, singers, visual and performing artists do not self identify as creatives for labor coding purposes because it is not their primary job.

Since it was launched in 2008 the program has been embraced by local governments and organizations as a successful revitalization tool to enliven their communities and neighborhoods. Currently there are 89 cultural districts in 59 towns in 36 parishes across the state.

Program Incentives Historic Preservation – state historic tax credits for rehabilitation of commercial and residential structures Visual Arts and Crafts – state and local sales tax exemption for original, one-of-a-kind works of art There are two tax incentives available in Cultural Districts that encourage rehabilitation and reuse of buildings, and encourage art and cultural activities Commercial and residential buildings may be eligible for state historic tax credits for renovation projects. And original, one-of-a-kind works of visual art are exempt from state and local tax. **It must be noted, and is explained in more detail on the website, that beginning July 1, 2016 a portion of the state sales tax exemption for original art was temporarily suspended for 2 years. Currently qualifying works of original art sold in Cultural Districts are exempt from local tax, but must charge 3% state tax.

Lake Charles Making great places is what mayors and leaders in towns everywhere are trying to do. They embrace the Main Street program, they designate Cultural Districts, they encourage local historic districts, some even provide local incentives to encourage art and cultural development.

Minden PILOT- Payment in Lieu of Taxes Sales Tax Abatement Pilot Payment-In-Lieu-of-Taxes (“PILOT”) is an economic development incentive tool designed to assist with attracting, expanding and developing business enterprises targeted to contribute to Minden’s economic growth. Within certain limitations, Louisiana allows for its political subdivisions to enter into Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT) programs with new and expanding enterprises. PILOTs allow for-profit companies to receive tax abatements in return for certain economic development performance requirements, such as job creation and eventual tax base expansion. SALES AND USE TAX ABATEMENT INCENTIVE Sales & Use Tax PILOTs allow for-profit companies to receive sales and use tax abatements in return for certain economic and community development performance requirements, such as donations to Minden-based 501 ( C ) 3 private nonprofit and public entities engaged in education, self-sufficiency training, skill-based training, childcare, tourism or cultural and art enrichment in addition to job creation for Minden residents. PILOT- Payment in Lieu of Taxes Sales Tax Abatement

Lafayette No matter how you spell it Lafayette gets the value or art, culture, heritage. And the city is investing in it in a big way. Under the leadership of Mayor Robideaux Lafayette launched CREATE- an acronym for Culture-Recreation-Entertainment-Art-Tourism-Economy It is an initiative to celebrate, support and grow the Lafayette Parish creative community and enhance its potential as an economic driver. In November voters will have the opportunity to divert $500K annual millage to strategically fund cultural economy activity. CREATE

Many Cultural District are in communities that reach out to partners who can help. They want their towns to be places where people can make a good living and want to live. And they want other people to come, visit, and enjoy the specialness of their place.

Sunset What makes visitors come? What makes them enjoy their time and want to come back?

Arnaudville Interesting things to do, people to meet, things to eat, see, explore, and buy Build on what is unique or special about the place Encourage entrepreneurism

Stories I heard a series on NPR where Rachel Martin returned to Idaho Falls for her 25 year high school reunion. She told some touching stories of classmates – one had become a successful attorney in NY, one had felt like an outsider, and one of her favorite English teacher, who turned everything into a teachable moment. Listening to her stories I was enthralled and have added Idaho Falls to my wish list of places to visit. Main Street uses stories of interesting people to show why their towns matter – Meet the Neighbors features town’s people – telling their stories turns towns into real places with distinct characters and identities.

Opelousas Find ways to promote using media and talent Engage people in creative community projects

Grand Isle Tourism plays a big part – Providing information, accommodations, transportation, and other services to tourists. – Marketing the enjoyable, unusual features of a travel destination

Carencro Bring people together Value local goods and services

Grand Cane Main Street and Cultural District communities are places that work to enrich their places, through art, preservation, and developing cultural events Literary readings, book signings

Riverside Monroe and Build bridges, or cross them. Monroe and West Monroe expended the boundaries of their respective Cultural Districts to facilitate art walks between Riverside in Monroe and Antique Alley in West Monroe.

West Monroe Encourage renovation and reuse. In West Monroe and old gas station is now Miss Kay’s Sweets and Eats.

Alexandria Creative Fun things to do outdoors;  Celebrate what is Creative Fun things to do outdoors; Places to get to know local history and culture; Alexandria

Lower Ninth Ward Community gardens Cooking Demonstrations to learn about new foods and cuisine Celebrate nature, including geology and wildlife;

OC Haley – Chances to see and interact with local art and artists; Markets and special events Literary readings, book signings

Slidell ~ Mayor gets Warholized! Partner with other organization to share resources Nurture local businesses and retail stores where visitors can shop or be pampered.

Welsh Learn about local traditions, Festivals and events that celebrate local history, culture, harvest time, foods, music, or celebrities; Make connection with the Scenic Byways

Cultural District Program Manager Gaye Hamilton Cultural District Program Manager 225.342.8161 ~ ghamilton@crt.la.gov Annual application cycle- Applications due March 1, Certification effective date July 1 Questions and Answers