Every other month the Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana hosts the Regional Arts Network luncheon, and the next edition of this seminar series will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, April 19th, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Room 108 at Central School. The Regional Arts Network (RAN) luncheons are designed for those working in the arts to come together to network, promote their events and programs, and to establish working relationships with other artists and arts organizations.
Attending the RAN luncheon will be state officials and Christie Weeks, Chair of Louisiana Citizens for the Arts (LCA), who will discuss the upcoming legislative session in regards to the future of arts funding. LCA is an organization that provides advocacy services for the arts in Louisiana and plays a direct role in advocating for increased arts funding to Louisiana legislators.
The success of LCA is more important than ever with the state's Decentralized Arts Funding grant program facing a 33% decrease from last year's fiscal year's funding which adds to a 60% decrease in funding from 2009's levels. The RAN luncheon is a great opportunity for artists and arts organizations to find out more about what LCA does for the arts and the impact the arts have on our state's economy.
With the Arts Council's annual Spring Art Walk on Friday, April 13th, the RAN luncheon will also discuss all that the event has to offer, including information on which artists will be at the participating locations throughout downtown and what can be expected at the second annual Art Battle. A presentation will also be given about the upcoming series of centennial celebrations held by several prominent historic buildings, including Central School, the Cathedral, and the Courthouse.
Lunch is served at 11;30 a.m. for $5 with the seminar to begin at noon. An RSVP is required. For more information or to RSVP, contact the Arts Council at (337) 439-ARTS. To find out more information about LCA, visit www.louisianacitizensforthearts.org.