Louisiana Cultural Vistas - Fall 2005 - (Page 66)

LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE,RECREATION & TOURISM LOUISIANA: Lt. Governor Mitchell J. Landrieu heralds a plan he calls the “Roadmap for Change” to position Louisiana as a leader in the south and the nation, building on her rich culture, diversity, and native talent. He is accomplishing this through the “Cultural Economy Initiative,” a high priority program housed in the Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. One of Landrieu’s favorite examples of Louisiana’s native talent is embodied in a cook from the swampland of south Louisiana. Louisiana Chef John Folse makes internationally recognized triple cream cheeses and delightfully rich, deliciously tangy drained Bulgarian yogurt that sell in locally owned groceries and Whole Foods stores. His Donaldsonville food processing plant nestled at the foot of the Sunshine Bridge produces 50 million pounds of food each year exported to markets throughout the country. The food products and their destinations vary widely but Folse’s prevailing objective and goal is to use Louisiana agriculture products, raw materials and labor to prepare, package and distribute his ware. Folse funds a now thriving goat herd business that provides a livelihood for an Jackson, La. family by purchasing all the goat milk produced. This ensures a reliable, high-quality source of milk for cheese making, and serves as an outstanding example of how business can co-op projects that work jointly for the greater good. Folse’s motto is simple: “Louisiana First.” Landrieu points out that Folse is a striking example of Louisiana’s thriving cultural economy. ”Fortunately Folse is only one of many in a growing field of cultural industrialists — artisans who are passionate about their art, practical about their business, innovative about their production, and pioneering in their marketing.” There are hundreds of examples of successes throughout Louisiana’s vast landscape. And there are hundreds, perhaps thousands more, who seek success, who want nothing more than to creatively produce their art in all varieties, and thrive in the doing so. Hence, the Cultural Economy, which is increasingly becoming the principal terminology used to describe the developing economic sector rooted in arts and culture; and hence, the emphasis of the Landrieu administration on this important initiative. “I also believe that Louisiana’s greatest assets lie in her exceptional artistic and cultural talent and resources,” says Landrieu. “Our artistic and cultural expressions are world renowned, and my administration has chosen to dedicate its energy to creating prosperity for those cultural industries.” Leading the Way in the Cultural Economy From the culinary arts to music production and moviemaking, Louisiana has tremendous untapped potential in its homegrown talent. photograph by Cheryl Gerber In 2004, the Louisiana Division of the Arts secured a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and with matching funds engaged the services of Mt. Auburn Associates, a renowned team of economists lauded for their landmark work with the New England Creative Economy Initiative. Michael Kane, Beth Seigel and Beate Becker, principals of Mt. Auburn Associates, spent almost a year meeting with over 250 stakeholders across the state and analyzing state, local and national data. Now, in the second year of the initiative, the Lt. Governor recently unveiled their eagerly anticipated report, Louisiana: Where Culture Means Business. It is the framework by which the initiative will validate Louisiana’s cultural enter- 66 LOUISIANA ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES\Fall 2005

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Louisiana Cultural Vistas - Fall 2005

Louisiana Cultural Vistas - Fall 2005 Contents Editor’s Column Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities Louisiana State Museum After Katrina and Rita Tabasco: Edmund McIlhenny and the Birth of a Louisiana Pepper Sauce Historic New Orleans Collection Louisiana Association of Museums New Orleans’ Coffee Connection No Man’s Land Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism Bookstand (Book Review by Thomas Uskali) Sound Advice (Music Review by Ben Sandmel) Forum (Commentary by Roy Blount, Jr. )

Louisiana Cultural Vistas - Fall 2005

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