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The Aioli Dinner Supper Club will be heading to Shreveport, Louisiana, on May 7, 2016! Join us and celebrate a four-course outdoor dinner with wine pairing to support Louisiana A+ Schools, a statewide arts-in-education program of the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts.
Frierson Plantation
Shreveport, LA
Come experience a unique culinary tradition made famous by George Rodrigue's Aioli Dinner painting, which depicts the Creole Gourmet Societies of Louisiana from 1870-1920. At each dinner, guests will participate in a special recreation of the painting.
Click here to learn about the history of Rodrigue's Aioli Dinner painting, as well as the many interpretations it inspired throughout his career.
One Day Left to Enter Art Contest!
The deadline to enter GRFA's
In partnership with the Krewe of Orpheus, the 2016 Art Contest is open to all Louisiana high school juniors and seniors who wish to submit an original work of art for the theme "Louisiana Celebrates Carnival." Fifteen student finalists will share $45,000 in college scholarships! The overall winner will have their artwork turned into the official 2017 poster for the Krewe of Orpheus and be invited to ride in their 2017 parade! Learn More.
Student Exhibit Opens in New Orleans
For the past eight months, the original artwork from our 2015 Scholarship Art Contest has been on tour at museums across Louisiana in Alexandria, Shreveport, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette. Tomorrow, "Louisiana's Music" makes its final stop in New Orleans, where it opens at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art.The exhibition features 15 original pieces from Louisiana high school juniors and seniors and celebrates the dynamic musical heritage of the state. These talented students shared $45,000 in college scholarships through the 2015 Art Contest.
Do you know a creative Louisiana high school junior or senior? Encourage them to enter for a chance to win a college scholarship!
The deadline to enter the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts' 2016 Scholarship Art Contest is February 12, 2016. The contest is open to all Louisiana high school juniors and seniors who wish to submit an original work of art for the theme "Louisiana Celebrates Carnival." The 2016 Art Contest is in partnership with the Krewe of Orpheus, one of the most dazzling Carnival parades in New Orleans.
Fifteen student finalists will share $45,000 in college scholarships! The overall winner will have their artwork turned into the official 2017 poster for the Krewe of Orpheus and be invited to ride in their 2017 parade!
Kendra Scott with 3rd grade students at Homer A. Plessy Community School in New Orleans. (Photo by Frank Aymami)
On Thursday, January 14th, the 3rd grade students at Homer A. Plessy Community School had quite a treat. Jewelry designer Kendra Scott, who recently opened a retail location on Magazine Street, stopped by to share the art of jewelry making with students at this New Orleans Louisiana A+ School.
Top left, the Kendra Scott team. Right, Kendra and the students were all smiles. Bottom left, a student shares her necklace design. (Photos by Frank Aymami)
After developing their individual designs, students worked with the Kendra Scott team to build their unique pieces. Artist Mallory Page, whose artwork inspired Kendra Scott's Spring 2016 Collection, was there to share the design experience with the students. Page is the daughter-in-law of George Rodrigue and works to continue his legacy of arts education as a board member for GRFA.
Top left, students work with the Kendra Scott team to complete their designs. Top right, a student shares his completed necklace. Bottom, Mallory Page admires a finished bracelet design. (Photos by Frank Aymami)
In addition to this special visit, Kendra Scott and Mallory Page hosted a fundraising event that evening at her New Orleans jewelry store. Kendra generously donated a portion of proceeds from jewelry sales to GRFA's arts-in-education programs.
(Left to Right) National Art Education Association Executive Director Deborah Reeve, Kendra Scott, artist Mallory Page, and GRFA Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue (Photo by Frank Aymami)
Thank you to Kendra Scott and her team for bringing fun and creativity to students at Homer A. Plessy Community School and for championing the arts in education through their philanthropy!
Applications Due Friday to Join 2016 LAA+ Schools
Through Friday, the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts' Louisiana A+ Schools (LAA+) program is accepting applications for the 2016/2017 academic year. LAA+ is a network that provides teachers with the essentials to think more creatively about how students can apply learning to the real world, and how they can present curricula in ways that nurture the whole student. At the center of this program is the use of the arts in every subject, in every classroom.
Louisiana A+ Schools values the arts as essential to the learning process. Click here to learn more.
Joining the A+ Network requires a significant time and resource commitment from a school's entire staff. We anticipate adding 3-10 schools for the 2016/2017 school year.
The deadline to submit an application of interest is Friday, January 15, 2016.
LAA+ Evaluation Released
During the 2014/2015 academic year, Dr. James Catterall of the Centers for Research on Creativity (CRoC) in Los Angeles, California, directed a research team to study three high poverty and failing first-year Louisiana A+ Schools. During the year, Dr. Catterall's team conducted a total of 50 classroom observations in 20 classrooms across all three schools, led numerous teacher focus groups, interviewed principals, and surveyed LAA+ staff and trainers. Their study confirmed that with arts integration:
- School climate and student engagement improved
- Students were given opportunities to grow as critical thinkers and artists
- Parental involvement increased
Click here to see more exciting results from this study and to learn how arts integration is transforming schools in Louisiana.
Looking Back at 2015
This past year, the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts' programs have been marked by growth and success, while continuing the vision of artist George Rodrigue to advocate for youth through arts in education. We are proud to share that in 2015 GRFA:
Awarded $45,000 in College Scholarships
In April, GRFA awarded $45,000 in college scholarships to Louisiana high school juniors and seniors through our 2015 Art Contest. Since 2009, the Art Contest has awarded $283,000 in scholarships to talented Louisiana students.
Donated $50,000 in Art SuppliesThe George's Art Closet program has donated over $50,000 in art supply kits to classrooms with little or no resources for visual arts supplies, allowing teachers and students the opportunity to engage in meaningful creative projects.
Nearly Doubled the Louisiana A+ Schools Program
Our Louisiana A+ Schools (LAA+) program continues to grow and transform schools through arts integration. Through our network of 16 LAA+ Schools, we provide professional development to over 600 educators, impacting 7,000 Louisiana students each day with curriculum infused with the arts.
Shared George Rodrigue's Legacy with Houston Students
From April to July, the Estate of George Rodrigue presented "Rodrige: Houston", a retrospective exhibition of the artist's work. GRFA provided free busses and field trips to over 800 Houston students, awarded $25,000 in art supply kits to Houston schools with little or no funding for visual art supplies, and hosted four free Community Art Days.
Brought the Aioli Dinner Supper Club to 5 Cities
This year we introduced the Aioli Dinner Supper Club, a special dining experience that celebrates George Rodrigue's iconic Aioli Dinner painting while raising funds for our Louisiana A+ Schools program. In 2015, Aioli Dinners were hosted in New Iberia, Monroe, Lafayette, Lake Charles, and Metairie. We look forward to continuing this unique, delicious dinner series in 2016!
With 2015 coming to a close, please consider a gift to the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts to ensure that our programs continue to thrive and impact the lives of Louisiana students. We count on the generosity of supporters like you to help us continue the mission of advocating for youth through the arts in education.
We wish you a happy, healthy New Year!
7 Weeks Left to Enter 2016 Scholarship Art Contest
Do you know a creative Louisiana high school junior or senior? Encourage them to enter for a chance to win a college scholarship!
The deadline to enter the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts' 2016 Scholarship Art Contest is February 12, 2016. The contest is open to all Louisiana high school juniors and seniors who wish to submit an original work of art for the theme "Louisiana Celebrates Carnival." The 2016 Art Contest is in partnership with the Krewe of Orpheus, one of the most dazzling Carnival parades in New Orleans. Fifteen student finalists will share $45,000 in college scholarships! The overall winner will have their artwork turned into the official 2017 poster for the Krewe of Orpheus and be invited to ride in their 2017 parade!
Happy Holidays from GRFA!
Pictured, The Rodrigue family with students from J. Wallace James Elementary School in Lafayette, LA, after a recent tree ornament activity. Click here to read about Wendy Rodrigue's visit to this LAA+ School.
On behalf of the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts and Louisiana A+ Schools, we wish you a happy and healthy Holiday Season! We are so thankful for your friendship and support this past year and look forward to sharing our mission with you in 2016.
Congrats to the 2015 Raffle Winners!
Thank you to everyone who entered the 2015 Raffle and supported GRFA's arts in education programs! The names below were drawn, and all winners have been contacted directly by email with instructions for claiming their prizes.
M. Brennan
L. Gagliano
J. O'Malley
T. McDaniel
A. Pfanner
T. Fox
N. Cordill
J. Frosch
G. Sakowski
M. Niziol
T. Booth
J. McElwes
T. Skipworth
V. Titus
C. Aime
K. Melancon
Have you entered our 2015 Raffle yet? We invite you to take a chance today to win great prizes while supporting the arts in education across Louisiana. The deadline to enter is Friday, December 18th at 5:00 PM.
The grand prize winner of the raffle will receive FIVE silkscreen prints by George Rodrigue. Each print in the set is signed and framed. There are also exciting prizes for 2nd - 15th place!
The Grand Prize winner will receive the above signed silkscreen prints by George Rodrigue. Click here to learn more about the prints and to see runner up prizes.
All proceeds from the raffle benefit the arts in education initiatives of GRFA, including providing $45,000 in college scholarships through our annual Art Contest, transforming schools through arts integration with Louisiana A+ Schools, and enhancing classroom creativity through George's Art Closet.
The Raffle closes Friday at 5:00 PM.
$10.00 per chance
GRFA Visits Louisiana A+ Schools in New Orleans and Baton Rouge
The George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts and Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue visited two Louisiana A + Schools this week to read George Rodrigue's beloved children's books to students and share an ornament-making project inspired by the many colors of Rodrigue's Blue Dog series. Thank you to the students and teachers of Homer A. Plessy Community School in New Orleans and The Durfrocq School in Baton Rouge for welcoming us into your classrooms!
Homer A. Plessy Community School, New Orleans
The Dufrocq School, Baton Rouge
The application period to become an arts-integrated, Louisiana A+ Schools is now open! Click here to learn more about joining our network of 16 schools across the state.
One Week Left to Enter 2015 Raffle
On December 18th at 5:00 PM, our 2015 Raffle will close and winners will be drawn for fantastic prizes, including a set of five signed and framed silkscreen prints by George Rodrigue. Funds raised through the raffle directly support our arts in education programs, which include an annual Scholarship Art Contest, George's Art Closet, and Louisiana A+ Schools.
Click the image above to learn more about the many prizes you could win in the 2015 Raffle.
Calling All Louisiana Schools: Join the LAA+ Network in 2016
The George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts is pleased to announce that Louisiana A+ Schools (LAA+) is now accepting applications for the 2016/2017 academic year. LAA+ is a network that provides teachers with the essentials to think more creatively about how students can apply learning to the real world, and how they can present curricula in ways that nurture the whole student. At the center of this program is the use of the arts in every subject, in every classroom.
Louisiana A+ Schools values the arts as essential to the learning process. Click here to learn more.
Joining the A+ Network requires a significant time and resource commitment from a school's entire staff. We anticipate adding 3-10 schools for the 2016/2017 school year.
Rodrigue Family Visits 2 LAA+ Schools
Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue and Wendy Rodrigue, widow of George Rodrigue, visited Ridge Elementary School and J. Wallace James Elementary School in the Lafayette area to see arts-integration in action in the classrooms. Both of these terrific schools are part of our network of 16 Louisiana A+ Schools across the state.
Wendy Rodrigue reads to children at J. Wallace James Elementary School. (Photo credit: Paul Lieu, The Advertiser)
Jacques Rodrigue gets creative with students during an ornament making project. (Photo credit: Paul Lieu, The Advertiser)
The family toured the schools, visited with students and teachers, and saw examples of how the arts are integrated into each subject. Wendy Rodrigue read George Rodrigue's "Are You Blue Dog's Friend?" and "Why Is Blue Dog Blue?" to students, and Jacques Rodrigue led them in a George Rodrigue-themed ornament activity inspired by his Blue Dog series. Jacques and Wendy were also excited to announce the 2016 application period for LAA+ Schools and to share how a recent independent study by Centers for Research on Creativity proved that the A+ Schools method is transforming classrooms across Louisiana.
Free Blue Dog Lapel Pin With Each Book Purchased
Today only, the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts is offering a special Cyber Monday deal! Purchase the award-winning The Pot & The Palette Cookbook or The Other Side of the Painting and receive a free Blue Dog Lapel Pin per book. Individual pins are valued at $50 each and make great stocking stuffer gifts!
About the Books
All proceeds from the books directly support our arts in education programs, including an annual Scholarship Art Contest, George's Art Closet, and Louisiana A+ Schools.
The Pot & The Palette Cookbook was produced in collaboration with the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation and features original artwork by Louisiana high school students who participated in our 2013 Art Contest. The Cookbook boasts over 100 delicious recipes by famous Louisiana chefs, including Emeril Lagasse, John Besh, Paul Prudhomme, and Leah Chase.
The Other Side of the Painting by Wendy Rodrigue is an illuminating, lively memoir that derives from her popular blog Musings of an Artist's Wife.
**To receive your Blue Dog Lapel Pin(s), you must purchase your book(s) through GRFA's main website.**
The George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Development Associate for Louisiana A+ Schools.
Development Associate
Reporting to and in partnership with the Development Director, the Development Associate will design and implement a fundraising strategy to support the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts' Louisiana A+ Schools Program. A new position in the organization, the Development Associate will have the opportunity to expand GRFA's existing development functions. Responsibilities include:Donor Relations
- Assist in the development and execution of the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts' Louisiana A+ Schools annual fundraising plan
- Secure financial support from individuals, foundations, and corporations
- Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with major donors and program sponsors
- Creating and executing a strategy for a large sustained base of annual individual donors
- Develop solicitations for mail and email fundraising campaigns
- Arrange and conduct school tours with existing and potential donors
Special Events
- Work with Director of Operations and Special Events Coordinator to secure paid attendance to special events including the statewide Aioli Dinner Supper Club series
- Secure hosts for "Aioli Dinner" fundraising events and follow up with hosts to generate ticket sales
Grant Writing
- Develop and track proposals for all foundation, corporate and government grants
- Identify, write, compile and submit grants in cooperation with GRFA and LAA+ staff
- Ensure that reporting of the use of grant funds is completed accurately
Reporting
- Prepare monthly reports for the Development Director to assess fundraising program effectiveness
Qualifications
- B.A. required, M.A. preferred
- 5 or more years of experience in Development
- Experience with Raiser's Edge or equivalent donor management solution
- Basic knowledge of Louisiana's education system
- Demonstrated excellence in organizational, managerial, and communication skills
- Must have ability to travel frequently across all of Louisiana
Salary is commensurate with experience. This position is based in New Orleans at the Rodrigue Foundation office. Interested applicants can send their cover letter and resume to info@georgerodriguefoundation.org.
"Louisiana's Music" Opens in Lafayette
Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue with the 15 student finalists at the awards luncheon for the 2015 Art Contest.
Now through January 2016, head to the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum on the campus of University of Louisiana at Lafayette to see "Louisiana's Music", an exhibition featuring artwork from the 15 talented student finalists from our 2015 Scholarship Art Contest.
The 15 pieces in the exhibition explore many aspects of Louisiana's musical heritage through vibrant portraits, whimsical interpretations, and more.
2016 Art Contest: "Louisiana Celebrates Carnival"
Do you know a creative Louisiana high school junior or senior? Encourage them to submit an original work of art for our 2016 Art Contest for a chance to share $45,000 in college scholarships. This year's theme is "Louisiana Celebrates Carnival" in partnership with the Krewe of Orpheus. The winning student will have their artwork turned into the official 2017 poster for the Krewe of Orpheus and be invited to ride in the 2017 parade in New Orleans!
Raffle: Win 5 Signed Rodrigue Prints
There are four more weeks to enter our 2015 Raffle to support GRFA's arts in education programs! The 1st place winner receives five signed and framed silkscreen prints by George Rodrigue. There are also great prizes for 2nd - 15th place! Each chance is $10. Click here to learn more and enter the raffle.
New Raffle: Win 5 Signed Rodrigue Prints
The George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts is pleased to announce a new raffle to benefit our arts in education programs! The grand prize of the raffle will win FIVE silkscreen prints by George Rodrigue. Each print in the set is signed and framed. There are also exciting prizes for runner up winners.
The Grand Prize winner will receive the above signed silkscreen prints by George Rodrigue. Click here to learn more about the prints and to see runner up prizes.
All proceeds from the raffle benefit the arts in education initiatives of GRFA, including providing $45,000 in college scholarships through our annual Art Contest, transforming schools through arts integration with Louisiana A+ Schools, and enhancing classroom creativity through George's Art Closet.
Deadline to enter is December 18, 2015 at 5:00 PM.
$10.00 per chance
Save the Date: #GivingTuesday 2015
Black Friday. Cyber Monday. Giving Tuesday.
This year, on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts is participating in #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving. We invite you to join the movement and help us bring creativity into Louisiana classrooms through George's Art Closet.
Each month, GRFA awards $1,000 custom art supply kits to two Louisiana schools through George's Art Closet. This successful program addresses the needs of teachers facing inadequate funding for visual art supplies.
This #GivingTuesday, with your support, we hope to fund five additional custom kits. Any donation made on December 1, 2015, will go directly to our George's Art Closet program and to transforming classrooms into dynamic, creative spaces.
New Poster: "Little Boy Blues"
"Little Boy Blues" by Skyla Blady
1st Place Junior in 2015 Art Contest
24 x 36 inches
Signed, edition of 250
$25.00
Skyla Blady, now a senior at Riverdale High School in Jefferson, LA, was shocked when her original artwork, "Little Boy Blues," was selected as a finalist in our 2015 Scholarship Art Contest in partnership with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. When her name was announced as the 1st Place Junior at the awards ceremony in April, she was even more surprised. She had invested hours in the painting and was very proud of the result, but had no idea it would become the poster selected for New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation's four free music festivals.
Her vibrant poster debuted at the Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival in October and will also be for sale at the Congo Square Rhythms Festival, Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival, and Treme Creole Gumbo Festival. Can't make it to the festivals? You can purchase your signed poster on our website. Proceeds from "Little Boy Blues" will directly support GRFA's arts-in-education programs, with a portion going back to Blady, who is currently a senior preparing for college.
Call for Entries - 2016 Art Contest
We are now accepting entries for the 2016 Scholarship Art Contest in partnership with the Krewe of Orpheus! Louisiana high school juniors and seniors are encouraged to submit an original 2-dimensional work of art for the theme "Louisiana Celebrates Carnival." Fifteen finalists will share $45,000 in college scholarships, and the overall winner will work with GRFA to turn their art into the official 2017 poster for the Krewe of Orpheus!
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