Office of Cultural Economy Strategic Policy and Communications Associate - AmeriCorps VISTA Service Year

The City of New Orleans VISTA program is implemented by the Office of Mayor LaToya Cantrell and Office of Cultural Economy. The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy works with culture bearers, artists, musicians, designers, writers, and all other cultural stakeholders to enhance their economic opportunities. Our mission is to develop the cultural economic sector to improve their lives and enhance the cultural life of the city. We conduct economic research, formulate policy, provide platforms for artists to work, fund programming, partner with organizations to deliver services such as healthcare, and much more.

The VISTA project will create a report on the cultural economy in the city of New Orleans for 2022 and compare it with previous data from 2021. This report will cover major economic indicators in the six segments of the cultural economy: entertainment, visual arts and crafts, culinary, literary arts and humanities, preservation, and design. The purpose of the economic report is to disseminate knowledge of the importance and impact of the cultural economy to leaders, businesses, potential investors, cultural institutions, and more in New Orleans and beyond. This will spur investment, both monetarily and politically, in developing the cultural economy and directly impact the livelihoods of cultural producers, many of whom earn low wages and/or live in poverty. The report will also be a tool for nonprofits and individuals to apply for funding.

The VISTA will create a weekly cultural newsletter that advertises economic and cultural opportunities for the community. The member will continue to update databases necessary for effective communication with OCE’s constituency and conduct outreach sessions related to the cultural report and OCE initiatives. The project will also include improving and updating guides for cultural businesses and stakeholders. Finally, the VISTA member will support coordination of special cultural events hosted by OCE including Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Essence Fest, Bayou Classic and more as needed.

OCE hosts and attends many cultural events throughout the year. The VISTA member will support with planning and coordination of special cultural events hosted by OCE including Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Essence, Bayou Classic, Holiday events and more as needed.

Working in the New Orleans cultural community is a rich and rewarding experience. Through conducting the community outreach that goes along with this project, you will get to interact with our artists and musicians and have an impact on a culture that invented jazz, gumbo, and many more iconic cultural touchstones.

Throughout one year of service, the VISTA member will work with the Office of Cultural Economy to create a 20-page report on the cultural economic sector in New Orleans in 2022 that includes jobs, businesses, nonprofits, financials of nonprofits, film activity, and local expenditures by major film production.

The VISTA member will also conduct outreach and feedback sessions with cultural stakeholders, cultural workers, artists, entertainers, community advocates, cultural nonprofits, cultural businesses, street performers, traditional practitioners such as Mardi Gras Indians, and other City offices on the content and purpose of the report.

The VISTA member will expand upon communications with culture bearers and cultural organizations through the weekly newsletter and expansion of its databases, develop and distribute communications for OCE initiatives, and work on updating guide materials for culture bearers, organizations, and businesses. The VISTA member will also support with planning and coordination of special cultural events hosted by OCE including Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Essence Fest, Bayou Classic and more as needed.

Visit our website to learn more about our program, the AmeriCorps National Service benefits and how to apply: www.nola.gov/mayor/americorps