[Gustavo Escanelle, Where Y'at Magazine]

The New Orleans Tourism & Cultural Fund Supports New Orleans' Future

07:00 October 04, 2024
By: Ayanna Lovelady

Boosting New Orleans' Culture with Unparalleled Support

Since May 2021, The New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund (NOTCF) is a nonprofit organization that has focused on preserving and promoting the city's rich cultural heritage. With a mission to drive tourism and sustain New Orleans' unique character, NOTCF has set new benchmarks for community support through strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and grant programs.

In just over three years, NOTCF has awarded an impressive $13.7 million in grants, including over 1,500 individual awards. These investments have been instrumental in supporting local festivals, nurturing artistic talent, and promoting cultural innovation.

One of NOTCF's most significant achievements has been its support for local festivals. Since 2021, the organization has invested over $3.6 million in sponsorships for events such as French Quarter Fest, Jazz Fest, and the Essence Festival of Culture. These festivals have generated a staggering $1.2 billion economic impact for New Orleans and Louisiana, demonstrating the power of cultural investment in driving economic growth.

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NOTCF's impact extends beyond festival support. The organization has partnered with the National Fried Chicken Festival to create the NOTCF Merchant Marketplace, a dedicated space for vendors selling non-food cultural products.

Not stopping at festivals, NOTCF has invested heavily in youth programming. The organization has awarded $1.9 million to initiatives that inspire and empower young people, including STEM programs and creative initiatives. In 2024, NOTCF committed up to $10,000 each to 60 schools in the NOLA Public and Archdiocesan school systems, ensuring robust support for cultural arts programming.

NOTCF's Golden Age Pilot Program is also proof of its commitment to inclusivity, which assists senior cultural artists in navigating the grant application process. This initiative aims to remove barriers and simplify access to mini-grants for older artists, ensuring that New Orleans' artistic legacy continues to thrive across generations.

As NOTCF looks to the future, its impact continues to grow. In 2024 alone, the organization awarded $3.2 million across more than 260 grants, reaffirming its dedication to empowering local artists, cultural bearers, and festival organizers.

Through its multifaceted approach to cultural support, NOTCF is not just preserving New Orleans' unique heritage—it's actively shaping a brighter and more prosperous future for the city and its residents.

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