CULTURAL DISTRICTS PROGRAM

The Louisiana Cultural Districts Program was created by Act 298 of the 2007 Regular Session of the legislature. The primary goal of this initiative is to spark community revitalization based on cultural activity though tax incentives.

This site is intended to provide pertinent information to local governing authorities, key stakeholders, interested communities, organizations, businesses and individuals about the Cultural Districts program, the application process, and be a means whereby the public can offer feedback, and suggestions.

ANNOUNCEMENTS September 16, 2009 - The Office of the Lt. Governor and the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism are pleased to announce certification of 6 new Cultural Districts. This brings the total number of Cultural District to 45, and they are in all corners of Louisiana, making this a successful, growing statewide initiative. Six (6) Round 3 Cultural Districts certified effective September 16, 2009 St Francisville Downtown Cultural District St. Francisville Hammond Cultural District Hammond Abbeville Cultural and Heritage District Abbeville Village of Grand Cane Cultural District Grand Cane Irish Channel Cultural District New Orleans Perkins Road Arts District Baton Rouge Maps of many of these districts are available on the "District Maps" page Ten (10) Round 2 Cultural Districts certified effective February 10, 2009 Alexandria Cultural District Alexandria Baton Rouge Arts & Entertainment Cultural District Baton Rouge Charlestown Cultural District Lake Charles Madisonville Cultural District Madisonville Riverside Cultural District Monroe Natchitoches Historic Cultural District Natchitoches Federal City, Tunisburg, & Algiers Point Cultural District New Orleans South Broad Street Cultural District New Orleans Shreveport Downtown Cultural District Shreveport West Monroe Cultural District West Monroe Twenty nine (29) Round 1 Cultural Districts certified effective October 1, 2008 Midtown Cultural District of Abita Springs Abita Springs Deux Bayous Cultural District Arnaudville Covington Cultural District Covington Eunice Prairie Cajun Cultural District Eunice Grand Isle & Grand Cheniere Caminada Cultural District Grand Isle City of Gretna Cultural District Gretna Houma Cultural District Houma Fontainebleau Cultural District Lacombe Old Mandeville Cultural District Mandeville Downtown Historic New Iberia Cultural District New Iberia West End Historic New Iberia Cultural District New Iberia French Quarter Cultural District New Orleans Freret-Claiborne Cultural District New Orleans Gentilly/Ponchatrain Park Cultural District New Orleans Bayou Road African American Heritage Cultural District New Orleans Downtown Development District Cultural District New Orleans Lafitte Greenway Cultural District New Orleans Lincoln Beach Cultural District New Orleans Lower Garden District Cultural District New Orleans Lower Ninth Ward Cultural District New Orleans Magazine Street Gallery Cultural District New Orleans Museum City Park Cultural District New Orleans Oak Street Music and Gallery Corridor Cultural District New Orleans Old Algiers Cultural District New Orleans Oretha Castle Haley Cultural District New Orleans Rampart-Basin Cultural District New Orleans St. Claude Corridor Cultural District New Orleans Viet Village Cultural District New Orleans City of Slidell Olde Towne Cultural District Slidell

LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION Overview of the the Cultural District Program Act 298 Cultural Districts Rules (as published with the Office of State Registrar) Historic Tax Credit Information Art Defined for the Cultural Districts Program Q & A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Forms Cultural Districts Guidelines and Application Form Sample Resolution for Cultural Districts Annual Reporting Guidelines Annual Reporting Form Business Inventory Business Inventory Guideline (pdf) Business Inventory Form (MS Excel) Tax Exemption Certificate 2009 La. Dept. of Rev. R-1029, Sales Tax Return Cultural District LOGO Sales Tax Exemption Instructions Cultural Districts Power Point Presentation National Trends Public Meetings CULTURAL DISTRICTS IN THE NEWS Jimmy Robinson: Musician, Incubator and Advocate New Orleans November 2, 2009 Click to Read Tax incentives hope to stimulate local art world New Orleans October 4, 2009 Click to Read Slidell Announces 2009-10 Cultural Season Slidell October, 2009 Click to Read Will the arts revitalize downtown? Shreveport June 7, 2009 Click to Read District aim to boost arts, cultural commerce Shreveport June 7, 2009 Click to Read Byawater Art Lofts New Orleans June 2, 2009 Click to Read Houma Jan 28, 2009 Click to Read Madisonville Jan 26, 2009 Click to Read Cooltown Studios Jan. 9, 2009 Click to Read Times Picayune Dec. 4, 2008 Click to Read St Tammany August 3, 2008 Click to Read Preservation in Print --Page 16 Summer 2008 Click to Read St. Claude June 23, 2008 Click to Read Cultural Economy Tax Initiatives Package June 2007 Click to Read