NEW ORLEANS – As we kick off the Year of Music in Louisiana, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the New Orleans Jazz Museum announce a $5 million capital matching grant through the Herb Alpert Foundation. This grant will enable the museum to complete the Herb Alpert Foundation Education Wing, further modernize its state-of-the-art performance center, renovate the museum entrance and lobby, and enhance the landscaping on the Esplanade Avenue side of the building. "We are grateful to the Herb Alpert Foundation for its generous support. The New Orleans Jazz Museum has positioned itself at the forefront of development in music education, cultural exchange and community outreach," said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. "This expansion will mark a new chapter in our efforts to promote Louisiana culture to visitors from around the country and abroad during the Year of Music, our current Louisiana Office of Tourism campaign."
"The Herb Alpert Foundation has been a strong supporter of the New Orleans Jazz Museum for a number of years. From early planning to presenting sponsorships for the annual Improvisations Gala and many educational initiatives, Herb Alpert has been a leader and advocate for nurturing creativity and highlighting its importance in the current artistic and cultural landscape," said New Orleans Jazz Museum Director Greg Lambousy.
As part of the Herb Alpert Foundation Education Wing, the Ruth U. Fertel Jazz Lab, the Education Lab, and the Digital Audio Workstation Lab facilities will each undergo world-class transformations. This top-notch educational wing and recording studio will be home to the Museum`s ongoing recording technologies, music business, and apprentice programs. The core of the Museum`s programming is in educational outreach to students of all ages. The Jazz Museum provides educational outreach with high school and university students, educators, and visitors through interactive exhibits, online programming, professional classes and instrument lessons, student performances, and teacher training. The Museum brings together musicians, students, and educators, all working together to share the history of Jazz and to secure its future growth and development.
"Supporting Jazz through education and public engagement is a priority for the Herb Alpert Foundation. Working in partnership with Louisiana`s iconic New Orleans Jazz Museum allows us to nurture and inspire jazz artists and build engaged and appreciative audiences so that this powerful art form will be alive and well for the benefit of future generations," said Rona Sebastian, President of the Herb Alpert Foundation.
Renovations to the Museum`s performance center will provide guests with an immersive music experience via the most current ATMOS surround sound system. This upgrade provides exceptional audio equipment and allows engineers to master and restore, in-house, many musical media already in the collection. Additionally, the grounds on the Esplanade Avenue side of the Museum will receive enhancements through a partnership with the LSU Agricultural Center and Louisiana Master Gardeners.
About the New Orleans Jazz Museum The New Orleans Jazz Museum celebrates jazz in the city where it was born, through dynamic interactive exhibits, multigenerational educational programming, research facilities and engaging musical performances. Through partnerships with local, national and international educational institutions, the Jazz Museum promotes global understanding of jazz as one of the most innovative, historically pivotal musical art forms in world history. The Jazz Museum is a Louisiana State Museum. Founded in 1906, Louisiana State Museum is a system of National Historic Landmarks and architecturally significant structures housing a half-million artifacts that showcase the state`s history and culture. For more information, visit www.nolajazzmuseum.org, or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @NOLAJazzMuseum.