Supporting Arts & Humanities Across Southwest Louisiana
The Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana strengthens the 5-parish creative sector by connecting creatives and organizations to resources and opportunity, while expanding access to the arts through education and community programs.
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🍩 Join us for Donut Burnout: A Panel on Sustaining Your Artistic Practice In celebration of National Donut Day, the Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana invites artists, creatives, educators, and community members to gather for an afternoon of connection, reflection, and conversation. Guests will enjoy donut tastings from local favorites, participate in a creative activity, and hear from local artists during a moderated panel discussion exploring the realities of sustaining a creative practice while balancing everyday demands. 📍 Central School Arts & Humanities Center 🗓 Friday, June 5 ⏰ 4:00PM–6:00PM 🎟 Admission: $10 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/donut-burnout-a-panel-on-sustaining-your-artistic-practice-tickets-1989848621793?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawR8MOhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFhVWplVzUya0o4dVN6UUY3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsQDQSOJSucnvcpBEzOieEdy05P5meSzhtjgvjTAl2w2J_qJUJzLEHenzdLh_aem_Rl6VmZjMFdwDzp9INMWSKQ
🎨 Board Spotlight: Meet Jennifer Spees, Immediate Past President! For Jennifer Spees, joining the Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA Board was all about giving back to the community and supporting the people and programs that make Southwest Louisiana special. A favorite part of Jennifer’s time with the Council has been the Spring Art Walk, where local artists, businesses, and community members come together for an evening full of creativity and connection. Professionally, Jennifer works as a residential mortgage loan officer at Louisiana Mortgage Associates . Outside of work and the arts community, Jennifer enjoys spending time with friends and family, belting out 90’s karaoke favorites, and supporting local restaurants whenever she gets the chance.
✨ Organization Spotlight: The Art Factory ✨ “Community is central to our mission and everything we do.” 🎨 The Art Factory exists to provide space, tools, and inspiration for individuals of all ages to learn about and explore their creativity. Their programs are designed with the needs of the Southwest Louisiana community in mind and continue to evolve to best serve and fill gaps that exist. From projects inspired by the culture and landscape of SWLA to collaborative family experiences, community remains at the center of their work. The organization also works to challenge the idea that creativity is only for children or professional artists. They encourage every adult who walks into their space to create, believing that everyone is creative and that experiencing the value of artmaking firsthand creates stronger support for the arts in our communities. As part of the SWLA arts community, The Art Factory values the resilience, creativity, and collaboration found across the region. While bringing together many artists, organizations, and ideas can be challenging, they see endless opportunity for connection and growth within the arts community. Since relaunching in September 2024, The Art Factory has already grown and evolved tremendously. Community support through programming participation, volunteerism, sponsorships, and in-kind support continues to help bring their vision for the future to life. Stop by the studio to learn more about ways to get involved, support creative opportunities, and partner with The Art Factory! ☀️ What’s Next? Summer Art Experiences are coming in June and July for ages 3–15, and registration is open now! They are also working on expanding accessible drop-in and Saturday artmaking opportunities for the community. Website: theartfactoryswla.com Instagram/Socials: @theartfactoryswla Culturalyst: https://swla.culturalyst.com/theartfactoryswla Located at 496 W. Prien Lake Rd. Unit H11, Lake Charles, LA70601 337-884-4278
🍩 Donut Burnout: A Panel on Sustaining Your Creative Practice Friday, June 5 | Central School Arts & Humanities Center (Just before Groove on the Green on the lawn!) National Donut Day felt like the perfect excuse to gather creatives, eat something sweet, and talk honestly about the messy middle of making art. Join the Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana for Donut Burnout, a playful, low-pressure creative gathering centered on burnout, inspiration, and what it really takes to sustain a creative practice over time. We’ll celebrate National Donut Day with a tasting featuring some of the best local donuts, a chance to create your own “Donut of Inspiration,” and an honest conversation with local artists about creative process, exhaustion, motivation, and continuing to make work when life gets in the way. What to expect: 🍩 Sample donuts from local favorites in celebration of National Donut Day 🎨 Create a “Donut of Inspiration” craft 🤝 Casual networking with fellow creatives and community members 🎤 Moderated panel discussion with local artists on burnout and sustaining creativity 🌿 Stick around afterward for Groove on the Green on the Central School lawn Whether you’re an artist, educator, musician, writer, maker, or simply someone trying to hold onto creativity in a busy life — this space is for you. Admission: $10 Location: Central School Arts & Humanities Center Time: 4:00pm-6:00pm
Register today for the Louisiana Project Grant Lunch & Learn! Join us and hear from Erica Bergeron as she shares tips for building a strong Louisiana Project Grant application, understanding eligibility, and aligning your project with LPG goals. Don’t miss this opportunity to ask questions and learn directly from the Louisiana Division of the Arts! 📍 809 Kirby Street, Suite 212 📅 May 20 ⏰ 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczqKKMnoPaMBExZ98E57xR-GTKRNy2eJHZuKAjA1hyYOSi1w/viewform
🎨 Join us TODAY for Spring Art Walk at McNeese! Come experience a day filled with live art, local creativity, community engagement, and Art Wars — our live mural competition where artists battle it out in real time! 🔥🖌️ ✨ Meet local nonprofits & community partners ✨ Enjoy free crafts and activities ✨ Support local artists and vendors ✨ Vote for your favorite Art Wars team by tipping! Bring your friends, explore the arts, and celebrate creativity with us this evening! 🌿🎶
Planning your Spring Art Walk route? 🎨🗺️ Check out the full event schedule and learn more about Art Wars before Saturday! From live music and local vendors to interactive art experiences, there’s something happening all afternoon. Be sure to stop by Bulber Lawn to watch artists go head-to-head in Art Wars, support your favorite team, and see the murals come to life in real time. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy an afternoon of art and live music! A special thank you to CSE Federal Credit Union for sponsoring Spring Art Walk.✨ 📍 McNeese 🗓 Saturday May 16th ⏰ Noon – 4:00 PM
Join us tomorrow for Spring Art Walk! 🎨✨ Explore local artists, makers, food trucks, community organizations, live performances, and more throughout the day. Be sure to check out the event map to find your favorite vendors, discover new creatives, and plan your Art Walk experience for the day! 📍 McNeese Quad 🗓 Saturday May 16th ⏰ Noon – 4:00 PM
Proud to call Senator Jeremy Stine one of our own! This week at Arts Day at the Capitol, he helped recognize the impact of the arts across Louisiana by reading the official proclamation for the Louisiana Partnership for the Arts. As we continue advocating for stronger investment in arts and culture, it means a great deal to have leaders from Southwest Louisiana championing the creative communities that make this region special. ♥️
We’re looking for Grant Panelist Volunteers! The Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA is seeking community members to help review and score grant applications for the 2027 Louisiana Project Grant. This is a great opportunity to support local artists and organizations while gaining insight into the grantmaking process. We’re Looking for Individuals Who: Live in Southwest Louisiana Have a passion for the arts (as a maker or admirer!) Can fairly and thoughtfully evaluate applications Understand how a project might benefit an artist’s career or a local nonprofit What’s Involved: Review approx. 15 applications before the meeting Attend a training session on zoom Attend a 4-hour panel discussion Collaborate with fellow panelists to recommend funding Help ensure a fair and inclusive grant process Why Get Involved? Influence the kinds of creative projects that happen in your community Support meaningful cultural work across SWLA Learn how grantmaking works—great insight for artists and nonprofits alike! Interested? Contact olivia@ahcswla.org or call 337-439-2787 to get involved! Help us invest in the future of the arts in Southwest Louisiana!
Interested in applying for a Louisiana Project Grant? Join us for an LPG Lunch & Learn with Erica Bergeron! ✨ Hear directly from the Grants Director for the Louisiana Division of the Arts as she walks through eligibility and guidelines, what makes a strong application, how to align your project with LPG goals, and tips to help your proposal stay competitive. Whether you’re applying for the first time or looking to strengthen your submission, this workshop is a great place to start. 📍 809 Kirby Street, Suite 108 📅 May 20 ⏰ 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Reserve your spot here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczqKKMnoPaMBExZ98E57xR-GTKRNy2eJHZuKAjA1hyYOSi1w/viewform
🎨 Board Spotlight: Meet Grant Kelly, Board Vice President! Grant Kelly joined the Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA Board to help support events like Live at the Lakefront and Chuck Fest, but it didn’t take long for him to fall in love with the many ways the Council serves the community. As Board Vice President, Grant is passionate about expanding opportunities for the arts and helping create experiences that bring people together. His favorite Arts & Humanities Council event is Live at the Lakefront, where music and community take center stage. Outside of the Council, Grant works as an Account Executive for SWLA at Burning Stick Creative. When he’s not working or supporting the arts, you can find Grant listening to music, collecting vinyl records, or catching live shows with his wife, friends, and family. While he still holds a special place for Botsky’s, these days you’ll likely find him supporting local favorites like Bekery, Nature’s Clay, and Album Addicts. 🎶✨
Our friends at Visit Lake Charles dropped off a sweet treat from Jo's for National Travel & Tourism Week! We’re proud to be partners in showcasing the culture, creativity, and experiences that make Southwest Louisiana such a special place to visit. Tourism and the arts go hand in hand, and we’re grateful to work alongside organizations helping tell the story of our region.
Join us today for the Region 5 Arts Tour! 🎨 We’re kicking things off in Beauregard Parish, bringing resources, conversation, and support directly to you. Connect with the Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA to learn about grant opportunities, ask questions, and discover ways to grow your impact in the arts community. Whether you’re an artist, educator, nonprofit, creative business, or arts supporter, this event is for you. Stop by, meet our team, and get inspired. 🗓 Today, May 5, 2026 ⏰ 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM 📍 Wooten Theatre, DeRidder Light bites and refreshments will be provided—we hope to see you there!
The Louisiana Project Grant (LPG) is NOW OPEN! 🎨 Want to fund your arts project in Southwest Louisiana? This opportunity supports projects that: ✔️ Increase access to the arts ✔️ Address community needs through creative solutions ✔️ Showcase regional artistry and culture Grants of up to $5,000 are available to help bring your vision to life. 🗓 Deadline: June 12 at 5 PM 🔗 Apply here: https://www.crt.state.la.us/cultural-development/arts/grants/louisiana-project-grants/index
🎨 Board Spotlight: Meet Kaitlyn Gallegos! Kaitlyn joined the Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA Board with a passion for getting involved in local events and building meaningful connections with community partners. She values the role the arts play in bringing people together and is proud to support efforts that strengthen and celebrate our community. Her favorite Arts & Humanities Council event is the Living History Cemetery Tour. Professionally, Kaitlyn serves as Director of Global Sales at Visit Lake Charles , promoting Southwest Louisiana as a destination to international visitors and helping share our culture on a global stage. Travel may be part of her day job, but it’s also one of Kaitlyn’s favorite hobbies. When she’s home, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her dog, Oliver. You can often find her supporting one of her favorite local spots, The Fair Vintage Market. 🛍️✨
The Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana continues to support community investments in arts and education. Spaces like performing arts auditoriums are where students find their voice, where community gathers, and where creative workforce pathways begin. Access to these kinds of spaces means access to the tools and technologies shaping today’s industries. If you live in Bonding District 34, this is an opportunity to help shape the future of our schools and creative economy. We encourage you to vote yes and invest in the next generation of Southwest Louisiana.
The wait is almost over 👀 🎨 The Louisiana Project Grant 2027 is designed to support community-driven arts projects that create lasting impact across our state. This program highlights artistry, creativity, and innovation within each region of Louisiana, empowering artists and organizations to bring meaningful ideas to life. 🗓 Applications open May 4, 2026 ⏰ Deadline to apply: Friday, June 12, 2026 at 4PM
🎨 Get Involved in Spring Art Walk 2026! Looking to connect with the community in a meaningful way? Join our Community Engagement Space at Art Walk — perfect for nonprofits and community partners! ✨ Host a free activity ✨ Share resources & promote your programs ✨ Connect directly with the public Please note: This space is focused on engagement, no merchandise sales. (Event tickets may be sold.) 📅 Application Deadline: April 26, 2026 📍 Event Date: May 16, 2026 📌 Location: McNeese State University Quad 💲 Fee: $20 (space only) Apply Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1I6pcmgmiNmMM94cScWuN5sRknVCUynvtpOwH_cOWYZk/viewform?edit_requested=true Be part of our live mural competition during Art Walk! 🎨 Create a mural in just ONE hour 👥 Compete in teams (up to 4) 🗳 Audience votes by tipping their favorite artists 🖼 Finished works go to a silent auction Divisions: • Youth (17 & under) – $10/team • Adult (18+) – $20/team Spots are limited — don’t miss your chance to be part of one of the most exciting events of the spring! ✨💐🎨
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our first Ideas in Unlikely Places: Hot History!🔥 We had an amazing time hearing from our panelists - Ashley Jeremy Royer, Adley Cormier, Thom Trahan, and Anna Alamond- as they shared insights on the Great Fire of 1910. A special thank you to Lake Street Liquor, Casa Manana Tex-Mex, Sovereign Investment, Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center, and Calcasieu Parish Police Jury for helping make this evening possible. Stay tuned for our next event in the Ideas in Unlikely Places series! ✨
Southwest Louisiana, this is your moment. We’re seeking an artist to represent our region on a national stage at the National Association of County Officials conference in New Orleans, July 17-20, 2026. The Water That Shapes Us will become a large-scale, interactive installation—one that invites people from across the country to help bring your work to life. If you can translate culture, landscape, and identity into bold, compelling design, we want to see it. This opportunity is open to artists living and working in Allen, Acadia, Vermilion, Cameron, Evangeline, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, and Beauregard parishes. Deadline: May 25 Apply: https://swla.culturalyst.com/opportunities/2302 Special thanks to Visit Lake Charles, Allen Parish Police Jury , Acadia Parish Police Jury , Vermilion Parish Police Jury , Cameron Parish Police Jury , Evangeline Parish Police Jury, Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, Jefferson Davis Parish Police Jury , and Beauregard Parish Police Jury for their support of this effort.
Happening Today! 🔥 Join us today, April 22 for Ideas in Unlikely Places: Hot History as we explore one of the most defining moments in Lake Charles history — the Great Fire of 1910 — and the resilience that followed. We’ll begin the evening on the lawn of Historic City Hall with light bites, drinks, and time to gather, before moving into the courtroom to hear from local historians and cultural leaders in the very spaces that hold our past. 🕠 5:30 PM – Social Hour (front lawn, Historic City Hall) sponsored by Lake Street Liquor 🕡 6:30 PM – Panel Discussion (Courtroom A, Historic Calcasieu Parish Courthouse) 🎟 Tickets: $12 https://www.eventbrite.com/.../ideas-in-unlikely-places...
Vendor applications are now extended for Spring Art Walk! 🎨💐✨ Join us on Saturday, May 16 at the McNeese State University Quad from 12–4 PM and be part of this vibrant celebration of art, community, and creativity. We’re looking for local vendors, artists, and food trucks to help bring this event to life. Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your work, connect with the community, and be part of one of Southwest Louisiana’s favorite arts events! Application Deadline: April 22, 2026 Application Links: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSce_Ip1GhUhKBj68B5Ur4S80wJMcBD29ZiYFtnLbO_cNo0I8A/viewform https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexrAsaL8jHN8T5-FQoHd78x4rz8hiH8u9dhxiHQ5n0LQjmHg/viewform
At the center of Spring Art Walk, Art Wars brings the energy. 🎨🔥 This outdoor, high-energy live art competition will take place in the Quad at McNeese State University, where teams of artists will transform blank panels into vibrant murals—in just one hour. Watch the creative process unfold in real time as artists work side-by-side in front of a live audience. Artists are invited to participate as individuals or teams. Spots are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration fees are $10 for Youth teams and $20 for Adult teams, helping cover materials for the event. Teams of up to four artists will compete within Youth (17 & under) and Adult (18+) divisions. Attendees can support their favorite teams by voting with tips—all proceeds go directly to the artists. At the end of the competition, each mural will be featured in the evening’s silent auction, with artists receiving 50% of the final sale. Register now to be part of the action! https://artscouncilswla.org/events/spring-art-walk-art-wars/ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfUsuHpCVnCrduQEwh2atL8nChAE9dWl-GuV-ADeupsB647CA/viewform
Join us for the Region 5 Arts Tour 2026! 🎨 Our first stop is Beauregard Parish, and we’re bringing resources, conversation, and support directly to you. Connect with the Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA to learn more about grant opportunities, ask questions, and explore ways to grow your impact in the arts community. Whether you’re an artist, educator, nonprofit, creative business, or arts supporter, this event is for you. Stop by, meet our team, and take advantage of this opportunity to get informed and inspired. 🗓 May 5, 2026 ⏰ 5:30PM – 7:00PM 📍 Wooten Theatre, DeRidder Light refreshments will be provided—we hope to see you there! Impromptu Players, DeRidder Main Street, Beauregard Parish School Board, Beauregard Parish Library, City of DeRidder - City Hall
Making HAPPEN
Invested in local arts & culture since 2005
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Parishes served across Southwest Louisiana
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