Hammond Cultural District Selected for Inaugural Partners in Place Pilot Program
September 24, 2025—Louisiana Division of the Arts Announces Inaugural Partners in Place Pilot Program Selections and Community Convenings
Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development, Division of the Arts, is pleased to announce the selection of three Louisiana Cultural Districts for the Partners In Place pilot program, a new technical assistance initiative administered by the Louisiana Cultural Districts Program.
Partners In Place is designed to assist in the revitalization of public spaces through arts and culture by pairing communities with specialized consulting services. The program will focus on three Louisiana Cultural Districts, each representing urban, suburban, and rural or small-town environments.
“Louisiana’s greatest strength has always been our culture, and when we invest in revitalizing public spaces through the arts, we are investing in the very soul of our communities. Programs like Partners in Place show how creativity, history, and local traditions can transform neighborhoods into places of pride and opportunity. By reimagining these spaces, we are not only honoring the past but building a future where culture drives connection, economic growth, and a stronger sense of identity for generations to come,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.
Through a competitive application process, the following districts were selected for the 2025 cycle:
Tremé/7th Ward Cultural District (New Orleans, LA)
Hammond Cultural District (Hammond, LA)
Railroad Avenue Historic Cultural District (Jeanerette, LA)
Each district will work closely with consultants, dedicating a minimum of 100 hours to a collaborative planning process. Services will be tailored to reflect each community’s strengths, cultural history, creativity, and unique challenges, culminating in strategies and deliverables that will strengthen the role of arts and culture in shaping the participating Cultural Districts.
“Partners in Place offers Louisiana communities an exciting opportunity to envision the future of their public spaces through creativity and collaboration,” said Leea Russell, Executive Director of the Louisiana Division of the Arts. “By meeting communities where they are and working hand in hand with local stakeholders, the program provides tools that help them thrive through culture and creativity, ensuring each project both honors the district’s history and strengthens its long-term vitality.”
The public is invited to attend planning workshops to help inform the process, dates and locations are below:
Tremé/7th Ward Cultural District (New Orleans, LA) | Saturday, September 27, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Tremé Market Branch | 800 North Claiborne Avenue New Orleans, LA
Hammond Cultural District (Hammond, LA) | Saturday, November 1, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | First Christian Church | 305 E. Charles Street Hammond, LA
Railroad Avenue Historic Cultural District (Jeanerette, LA) | Saturday, November 8, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Historic St. Paul United Methodist Church | 1405 Annie R. Moore Jeanerette, LA
Established in 2007, the Louisiana Cultural Districts program is considered a “place based” initiative. The program provides incentives in designated Cultural Districts that contribute to increased business opportunities; new markets for cultural products; increased artistic production; renovations of historic buildings; increased cultural activity; and a greater sense of community identity. Each one is a unique and distinct reflection of local artistry, history, and culture.
The Division of the Arts has served Louisiana’s arts community since 1977 by providing programs, services and support to individual artists and a variety of arts and cultural organizations. The Division supports established arts institutions, nurtures emerging arts organizations, assists individual artists and creatives, encourages the expansion of audiences, and stimulates public participation in the arts in Louisiana.
