Testimony and Awards at State Capital

Testimony and Awards at State Capital

On Monday May 23rd, Jacques Rodrigue, Executive Director, presented to the Louisiana State House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations. Thank you to the committee for their interest in arts in education. We look forward to working with the representatives of Louisiana government to gain additional public support for arts integration through our Louisiana A+ Schools program.

Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue delivers a special presentation to Appropriations Committee in Baton Rouge.

Bethany France Honored at 2016 Louisiana Culture Awards

Congratulations to Bethany France, Director of GRFA's Louisiana A+ Schools program, for recently winning the Arts Education Award at the 2016 Louisiana Culture Awards, hosted by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser.

The Arts Education Award honors individuals and organizations that, through education efforts, helped broaden the appreciation for the importance and value of arts and traditions in Louisiana. We are thrilled that Bethany has been acknowledged for her commitment to the students and teachers of the state through her leadership of Louisiana A+ Schools.

(From Left to Right) Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, Bethany France, Louisiana State Arts Council Chairperson Mary Lee, Louisiana Division of the Arts Director Cheryl Castille.

New Louisiana A+ Schools Added and Now Hiring

Two New Louisiana A+ Schools

Last week in Lake Charles, Louisiana A+ Schools announced the addition of two new schools for the 2016/2017 academic year. With the addition of Lake Charles Charter Academy and Bains Lower Elementary School (in St. Francisville, LA), our statewide network of arts-integrated schools is now up to 18!

Click here to see all 18 Louisiana A+ Schools.

The students at Lake Charles Charter Academy welcomed the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts into their classrooms to see the Rodrigue-inspired artwork already adorning the halls. As a Louisiana A+ School, their entire faculty will receive intensive professional development in arts integration, and all subjects will be infused with the arts. We are thrilled to expand our network into the Lake Charles and St. Francisville communities!

(Top) Principal Pamela Quebodeaux speaks during LAA+ announcement at Lake Charles Charter Academy. (Bottom left) A student shares his artwork. (Bottom right) Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue spent the morning with students, reading "Why Is Blue Dog Blue?" and leading an art activity.

WATCH NOW: KPLC-TV's Coverage of LAA+ Announcement

Now Hiring:  Professional Development Coordinator

Louisiana A+ Schools is now accepting applications for the full-time position of Professional Development Coordinator.

The Professional Development Coordinator supports the vision, motivation, coordination, and evaluation for all academic training activities across the Louisiana A+ Schools (LAA+) program. Working in close partnership with LAA+ Directors, this position ensures consistency of all professional development functions involving LAA+ teachers, administrators, Fellows, and teaching artists.



Click here to read the full job description and apply.

Shreveport Aioli Dinner Raises $110,000

On May 7th, the Aioli Dinner Supper Club gathered in Shreveport at the Frierson Plantation for a delicious meal to raise funds for GRFA's arts in education initiatives. With a generous matching grant from the Windgate Charitable Foundation, our Shreveport friends and supporters were able to raise $110,000 for Louisiana A+ Schools, our most ambitious statewide program.

Click here to view a photo album for the Shreveport Aioli Dinner Supper Club event.

This was our largest Aioli Dinner yet, with 140 guests dining on the beautiful Frierson property. Southern Fork Catering prepared a four-course menu inspired by the rustic cuisine of the historic Creole Gourmet Societies of Southern Louisiana.

Our photographer for the evening was Hunter Sloan, a scholarship recipient in the 2014 Art Contest, who is now pursuing an undergraduate degree in photography in California.

Thank you to the many people in Shreveport who made this dinner a tremendous success! We also extend our gratitude to Mary Harris, principal at South Highlands Elementary Magnet and Event Chair for the dinner. Her school is one of 18 in the Louisiana A+ Schools network that benefit from funds raised by the Aioli Dinner Supper Club.

Baton Rouge Aioli Dinner Raises $90,000

The Aioli Dinner Supper Club would like to thank our Baton Rouge friends and supporters for making our May 4th Aioli Dinner such a memorable night. That evening, with a generous matching grant from the Windgate Charitable Foundation, we were able to raise $90,000 for Louisiana A+ Schools, our most ambitious statewide program.

Click here to view a photo album for the Baton Rouge Aioli Dinner Supper Club event.

It was a beautiful night at Longview along Capitol Lake. Chef Peter Sclafani of Ruffino's Restaurant prepared a five-course dinner inspired by the rustic cuisine of the historic Creole Gourmet Societies of Southern Louisiana.

With the expansion of the Louisiana A+ Schools program to 18 schools, the Aioli Dinner Supper Club is playing a crucial role in the number of teachers and students impacted by arts integration in the classroom. Thank you to our friends and sponsors who made this dinner a success!

SOLD OUT: Shreveport Aioli Dinner

We are excited to announce that the upcoming Shreveport Aioli Dinner event has SOLD OUT. Tickets are still available for the Baton Rouge Aioli Dinner on Wednesday, May 4th, but few seats remain. Get your tickets today and join the Aioli Dinner Supper Club for a special dining experience inspired by George Rodrigue's iconic "Aioli Dinner" painting.

Few Seats Left!

May 4, 2016

Baton Rouge

Hosted by Randy K. Haynie

SOLD OUT

May 7, 2016

Shreveport

Frierson Plantation

May 14, 2016

New Orleans

Hosted by Bobby and Lori Savoie

Each dinner features a wine-paired, four-course meal and supports GRFA's dynamic arts in education programs. Watch the video below to learn more!

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