Celebrating Louisiana A+ Schools Day at the Capitol

Celebrating Louisiana A+ Schools Day at the Capitol

Yesterday, the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts joined the Louisiana A+ Schools (LAA+) team for a special day at the State Capitol to advocate for arts in education. 

GRFA staff, LAA+ staff, and Fellows share the mission of LAA+ Schools with legislators at the State Capitol.

Highlights from the day included an open house session with LAA+ Staff and Fellows, as well as an informational luncheon for legislators at the apartment of Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser.

(From left to right) GRFA Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue, LAA+ Director Bethany France, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, and Oklahoma A+ Schools Director Emeritus Jean Hendrickson at the luncheon.

GRFA was proud to share the mission and successes of LAA+ with legislators. Across Louisiana, LAA+ has 18 Member Schools, trains over 700 teachers, and impacts 10,000 students each day by infusing the arts into all subjects.

Informational posters shared how dance, drama, and visual arts can be used to teach traditional subjects in the classroom.

About Louisiana A+ Schools (LAA+)

LAA+ began in 2013 as an initiative of the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts (GRFA). In 2017, after several years of success, the Rodrigue family transitioned LAA+ into its own public non-profit organization to ensure the growth and long-term sustainability of the mission. LAA+ is supported by GRFA and the leadership of a diverse statewide board.

Next Week: A Special Aioli Dinner in Baton Rouge

On Thursday, April 27, join the Aioli Dinner Supper Club in Baton Rouge at the beautiful home of Gwen & Todd Graves! Seating is very limited, so we encourage you to purchase your tickets soon for this multi-course, outdoor dinner. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit our Louisiana A+ Schools program.

Aioli Dinner Supper Club

Baton Rouge, LA

Hosted by Gwen & Todd Graves

April 27, 2017

6:30 PM

Live and Silent Auctions

Music by Steve Riley & Mamou Playboys

LEARN MORE AND PURCHASE TICKETS

Cuisine by:

Saturday & Sunday: Join Us at French Quarter Fest

The weather will be beautiful this weekend for the 2017 French Quarter Festival in New Orleans! Once again, the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts will be providing a hands-on art activity for families at the Chevron STEAM Zone. STEAM education brings together science, technology, engineering, art, and math.

Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue gets creative with students while making STEAM art projects at a previous French Quarter Festival.

Who

The Chevron STEAM Zone is free, and all are welcome! The George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts will be joined by The Nature Conservancy, Project Lead the Way, Audubon Nature Institute, Note for Notes, the New Orleans Pelicans, Fab Lab NOLA, and New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park.

What

GRFA's creative project will be exploring the water cycle through sculpture.

Where

The Natchez Wharf in the French Quarter, where Toulouse Street meets the Mississippi River.

When

Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

We hope to see you at the 2017

French Quarter Festival!

Partnering with YMCA's Special Needs Painting Class

The George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts is pleased to announce a new partnership with the East Jefferson YMCA for their Brushes, Buddies and Beyond class. This program is a "painting party" specifically for individuals with special needs from ages 5 to 25, and each week the classes are held in a safe and relaxing environment.

Brushes, Buddies and Beyond provides unique opportunities to explore and learn more about painting from an instructional artist. For each of the four annual sessions, GRFA will be sharing a different Blue Dog painting by George Rodrigue so that participants can create their own version of the artist's iconic image.

On March 14th, Brushes, Buddies and Beyond participants painted their own version of George Rodrigue's "Spring Adds Color to My Life" painting. 

Kenlie Tiggeman, who manages the program, has created a welcoming and nurturing environment. She shares, "Buddies, Brushes and Beyond is my favorite thing we do at the Y because it gives wonderful kids an opportunity to discover their talents and express their creativity in a positive way."

Their upcoming Summer Session begins on June 19th and runs through August 30th.

When:  Mondays, 6 PM or Wednesdays, 11 AM

Cost:  $75 (scholarships available)

Location:   East Jefferson YMCA, 6691 Riverside Drive, Metairie, LA 70003

If you know a young person with special needs who would like to explore their artistic side, please contact Kenlie directly at (504)888-9622 ext. 107 or kenliet@ymcaneworleans.org.