A Hub for Francophone Arts
An innovative cultural space is coming to New Orleans through the partnership of the Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) and the New Orleans Foundation for Francophone Cultures (Nous) Foundation. This collaboration upholds the HNOC's commitment to utilizing their extensive real estate in the French Quarter to maintain their mission of preserving, celebrating, and educating Louisiana's rich history.
Daniel Hammer, HNOC president and CEO, stated via a press release: "As a major holder of real estate in the French Quarter, the Historic New Orleans Collection has a responsibility to create an environment that serves both the area's millions of visitors as well as our city's residents and the people who work in the French Quarter."
Hammer added, "As the world's largest holder of materials relating to the history and culture of New Orleans, it's important to remember that our buildings are a foundational part of that collection."
What's To Come
The new cultural center will be located within HNOC's French Quarter campus. The space will act as an art gallery, information center, and concept store dedicated to showcasing Louisiana's French and Creole cultures. Guests will have the opportunity to explore interactive exhibits, attend cultural programs, and access a unique selection of French-language books. This will be the first dedicated place for these specific offerings in Louisiana.
"We are proud to be bringing French back to the French Quarter. This new 'boutique museum' will be a fantastic community space for the historic neighborhood and offer the 20 million visitors who visit each year a deep dive into the vibrant history and present of Louisiana's Francophone cultures," said Rudy Bazenet and Scott Tilton, Nous' co-founders, in a press release.
The boutique museum will open in two phases. The first phase of the museum will open in May of 2025 with a special exhibit dedicated to Louisiana roots music sung in French and Creole. The second phase of the boutique will open in late July or early August, with plans to progressively scale operations from three to four days per week. As part of the collaboration, Nous will support HNOC's initiatives to translate communication materials, archives, exhibition content, and publications, as well as in-house French classes for HNOC staff.
About the Nous Foundation
Nous Foundation's co-founders, Rudy Bazenet and Scott Tilton, after meeting in Paris, spearheaded an initiative that allowed Louisiana to become the first state to join the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF) in 2018. The OIF brings together 93 countries and regions, 16% of the global economy, and over 1 billion people.
Two years later, the New Orleans Foundation for Francophone Cultures was founded. The foundation has dedicated their institute to preserving and promoting French and Creole history through organized cultural events, creating original content, and launching innovative programs in Louisiana and the United States. Their revitalizing efforts of Louisiana's heritage focuses on Creole, Cajun, and Indigenous communities.
More Info
For additional info, visit the HNOC's website or the Nous Foundation's website.
