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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Tickets are going fast for next week's Baton Rouge and Shreveport Aioli Dinner Supper Club events. Don't miss out on these special dining experiences inspired by George Rodrigue's iconic "Aioli Dinner" painting.
On Saturday, April 16th, the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts awarded $45,250 in college scholarships to 16 talented Louisiana students. Finalists in the 2016 Art Contest represent cities across the state including Jefferson, Marrero, Gretna, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, DeRidder, Zachary, and Lafayette.
At the Awards Luncheon in New Orleans, these talented juniors and seniors accepted their scholarships, had their original artwork on display, and were treated to special presentation by author Wendy Rodrigue.
Congratulations to our 2016 Art Contest winners!
Junior and senior scholarship winners with Jacques Rodrigue at the Art Contest Luncheon in New Orleans.
Kourtney Aultman, our 1st place senior, was awarded a $6,000 scholarship.
Nathan Vogel placed first for the juniors.
Click here to view a photo album from the Luncheon and see the complete list of the scholarship winners in the 2016 Art Contest.
On the way to the museum, students visited the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, AR, for the Student Presidential Tour. Activities included an orientation film, a tour of the Oval Office, Cabinet Room, Life in the White House, and the current temporary exhibit.
(Top) Students from Homer Elementary School explore the galleries at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. (Bottom) Having fun while experiencing outdoor sculptures!
Through writing, discussion, and sketching, students analyzed sculptural works at Crystal Bridges to gain a deeper appreciation of three-dimentional art. They also had the opportunity to explore the museum's trails and enjoy outdoor artworks.
They then visited the Amazeum where their skilled education team actively interacted with students and chaperones to inspire curiosity and discoveries. On their trip back to Homer, LA, participants stopped in Little Rock and experienced the extremes of science with liquid nitrogen and vortex cannon demonstrations at the Arkansas Museum of Discovery.
Exploring Art at French Quarter Fest
What a beautiful weekend for French Quarter Festival! With a record attendance of over 750,000 people, many families made their way to the Chevron STEAM Zone to participate in hands-on projects that brought together science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
GRFA's team worked with children to create a "Life Cycle of an Oak Tree" and shared examples of the oak tree in the art of George Rodrigue.
We were so excited to partner with Chevron once again for this action-packed weekend!
(Top left) A young artist shares her completed "Life Cycle of an Oak Tree" project. (Top right) Hundreds of children and their parents visited GRFA at the Chevron STEAM Zone. (Bottom) GRFA's French Quarter Fest team included dedicated educators from our Louisiana A+ Schools program.
Saturday and Sunday: Join Us at French Quarter Fest
The weather will be beautiful this weekend for the 2016 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 last year's French Quarter Festival.
For the past two weeks, local celebrities and community leaders have been visiting the GRFA office to serve as final round judges for the 2016 Scholarship Art Contest. This year's contest theme, in partnership with the Krewe of Orpheus, is "Louisiana Celebrates Carnival."
We are so grateful to these individuals sharing their time, expertise, and enthusiasm -- and for supporting our mission to advocate for youth through arts in education!
Final Round Judges Include:
Laura Ashley, Jones Walker Law Firm
Chef John Besh, Besh Restaurant Group
Sonny Borey, Krewe of Orpheus
Susan Brennan, Second Line Stages
Nadine Blake, Nadine Blake New Orleans
Simon Blake, Nadine Blake New Orleans
Michelle M. Carolla, New Orleans Auction Galleries
Martine Chaisson, Martine Chassion Gallery
Marilyn Dittman, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Clancy Dubos, Gambit Weekly
Margo Dubos, Gambit Weekly
Tricia Dubroc, Louisiana Public Facilities Authority
Derek Franklin, Krewe of Orpheus
Dathel Georges, The Advocate
David Harouni, Harouni Gallery
Jessie Haynes, The Helis Foundation
Jane Scott Hodges, Leontine Linens
Ben Jaffe, Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Jelena James, New Orleans Auction Galleries
Ashley Longshore, Ashley Longshore Gallery
Paul Leaman, New Orleans Silversmiths
Irvin Mayfield, New Orleans Jazz Orchestra
Renee Maxwell, Krewe of Orpheus, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel
James Michalopoulos, Michalopoulos Gallery
Barbara Motley, Louisiana State Arts Council
Biff Motley, Motley & Associates, Inc.
Terrance Osborne, Terrance Osborne Art
Alexa Pulitzer, Alexa Pulitzer LLC
Miranda Restovic, Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities
Robyn Dunn Schwarz, Matthew Clayton Brown
Michael Smith, Ashley Longshore Gallery
Gary Solomon, Jr., The Solomon Group
Artist Terrance Osborne scores original pieces made by Louisiana high school juniors.
Chef John Besh stopped by to participate as a final round judge.
Members of the Krewe of Orpheus look at pieces made by high school seniors.
Winners of the contest will be announced on April 16th at the Scholarship Awards Luncheon in New Orleans! The sixteen student finalists will share $45,000 in college scholarships.
Tickets to the luncheon are now available to the public.
On Saturday, April 16th, at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, GRFA is hosting the 2016 Art Contest Luncheon to honor this year's 16 student finalists and award over $45,000 in college scholarships. Tickets to the Luncheon are now available to the public. Purchase yours today!
The Aioli Dinner Supper Club is coming to three Louisiana cities this spring: Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and New Orleans! Join us for a wine-paired, four-course dinner inspired by George Rodrigue's iconic "Aioli Dinner" painting. These unique culinary experiences support the arts in education initiatives of the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts.
May 4, 2016
Baton Rouge, LA
Hosted by Randy K. Haynie
Honorary Host: Taylor Barras, Louisiana Speaker of the House
Thank you to all of the students who entered the Scholarship Art Contest this year! We received over 600 entries from across the state for the theme of Louisiana Celebrates Carnival.
Sixteen (16) finalists have been selected by our first round of judges. These high school juniors and seniors will share $45,250 in college scholarships, and one will be featured as the official 2017 poster for the Krewe of Orpheus.
Scholarships will be given out at our Awards Luncheon on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.
Yesterday, 2nd-grade students from Martin Behrman Charter School had a special morning at the Rodrigue Studio gallery in New Orleans. As part of our Louisiana A+ Schools network, they were the first people to see a newly curated exhibition "Rodrigue: Celebrating Music" which showcases music-themed paintings from throughout George Rodrigue's career.
GRFA Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue gave a behind-the-scenes tour to the students, sharing the stories and musicians that inspired the paintings.
Students were then treated to a private concert by the amazing musicians of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, who introduced the traditional music styles of New Orleans and discussed how they have shaped the history of the city. The Preservation Hall Foundation, which advocates for music education and preserving New Orleans' rich musical heritage, graciously partnered with GRFA for this special event.
"Rodrigue: Celebrating Music" opens to the public today and will remain on view through May 15, 2016. In addition to original paintings, this exhibition features the Rodrigue Steinway, which George Rodrigue created to fundraise for arts education in Louisiana.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
The George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts (GRFA) advocates the importance of the visual arts in the development of our youth.GRFA encourages the use of art within all curriculums and supports a variety of art educational programs.
