Arts Council of New Orleans
Arts Council of New Orleans, which operates as Arts New Orleans, is a New Orleans-based private nonprofit founded in 1975 and designated as the official arts agency for the City of New Orleans. Its IRS filing type is a public charity. The organization supports arts and culture through public art, programs, and grants administered with city and state funding.
Arts Council of New Orleans at a glance
In short: Arts Council of New Orleans gave $520K across 43 grants in 2024 (avg $12K), mostly in Louisiana. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $519,859
- -7.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 43
- Average grant
- $12,090
- Median grant
- $11,536
- Total assets
- $8,470,460
- +30.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Arts Council of New Orleans
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 58379, New Orleans, LA 70158
Phone: (504) 621-3846
Website: https://artsneworleans.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
7 open opportunities from Arts Council of New Orleans
Community Arts Grants
Arts Council of New Orleans
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Louisiana Project Grants
Arts Council of New Orleans
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Louisiana Project Grants: Region 1
Arts Council of New Orleans
Amount
US $2,500 - US $7,500
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Arts Council of New Orleans funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was New Orleans Ballet Association ($24K). Together the top 10 received $183K.
Grant Size Distribution
43 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 43 grants of 43 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization administers Louisiana Project Grants for Region 1, comprising Orleans, Jefferson, and Plaquemines Parishes, and serves those parishes as a Regional Arts Agency. Its Community Arts Grants support eligible organizations and activities in Orleans Parish. All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to Louisiana recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $465K (2021) to $993K (2022). In 2024 it made 43 grants totaling $520K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Ballet Association New Orleans, LA | LPG FY23 | $23,909 |
| Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra New Orleans, LA | Gen OP - CAG 2024 | $20,403 |
| Ellis Marsalis Center for Music New Orleans, LA | LPG FY23 | $18,943 |
| New Orleans Film & Video Society New Orleans, LA | Gen Op | $18,227 |
| KID smART New Orleans, LA | Gen OP - CAG 2023 | $17,976 |
| Junebug Productions Inc New Orleans, LA | LPG FY24 | $17,295 |
| Dancing Grounds New Orleans, LA | LPG FY23 | $16,761 |
| Artivism Dance Theater New Orleans, LA | LPG & Operating | $16,737 |
| New Orleans African Museum New Orleans, LA | LPG FY23 | $16,531 |
| Friends of a Studio in the woods New Orleans, LA | LPG FY25 | $15,973 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $8,470,460 | $3,694,956 | $3,433,868 | $519,859 | 43 | $307,201 |
| 2023 | $6,504,791 | $3,050,078 | $2,887,032 | $559,048 | Total only | $261,785 |
| 2022 | $7,142,770 | $3,408,663 | $3,000,706 | $992,533 | Total only | — |
| 2021 | $1,809,882 | $2,444,435 | $2,170,502 | $465,497 | Total only | $13,883 |
| 2020 | $1,703,885 | $2,061,932 | $1,713,167 | $535,877 | Total only | $668 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Arts New Orleans states that it is dedicated to supporting arts and culture in the city. Its mission is “Making Art Happen”: supporting public art and artists, and creating work that inspires, connects, and enriches the community through creative expression.
Its grant programs include Community Arts Grants, funded by the City of New Orleans, and Louisiana Project Grants, funded by the Louisiana Division of the Arts and the State of Louisiana. The Community Arts Grants program includes operating support for eligible arts nonprofits and project grants for organizations producing or celebrating New Orleans street-parading traditions. Louisiana Project Grants support arts projects that meet local needs.
Its grantees include organizations with varied arts and cultural missions. For example, New Orleans Ballet Association describes its work as providing accessible arts instruction and performance opportunities; the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra says its mission is to transform people and communities through music; and KID smART engages children and educators in creative learning through the arts.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Arts New Orleans reported 43 grants totaling $519,859. Grant amounts ranged from $5,250 to $23,909, with a median of $11,536. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Louisiana.
Among the largest reported awards were $23,909 to New Orleans Ballet Association, $20,403 to the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, $18,943 to Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, $18,227 to New Orleans Film & Video Society, and $17,976 to KID smART.
Arts New Orleans’ website describes applications through Submittable for its grant programs. The listed application periods for 2027 More Joy projects and FY2027 Louisiana Project Grants ran from May 11 to June 12, 2026; those deadlines have passed. Applications for New Orleans as Cultural Capital operating support for 2028/29 are expected to open in early 2027.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Edwin Bragg as Vice-Chairman; Scott Fisher as Secretary; and Rosa Dunlap as Treasurer. Directors listed are Chenoia Bryant, Erin Hattier, Steve Dumez, Arthur Hunter, Avione Pichon, Nurhan Gokturk, and Catherine Gorman Kuuskra.
Arts Council of New Orleans is led by Nyka Scott, Chairman since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 29 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nyka Scott
Chairman
Director → Chairman, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amanda Winstead
Director
Vice Chairman, Ex-Officio & Past Chairman → Vice Chairman, 2023
Vice Chairman → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Owen
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
jessie Haynes
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Josh Mayer
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristi Taglauer
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matt Schwartz
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Dumez
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Rodgers
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ariel Wilson-Harris
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beth Shapiro-Lavin
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Gorman Kuuskra
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chuck Taylor
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emel Mize
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nurhan Gokturk
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chenoia Bryant
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erika Olinger
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gina Monette
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Mackie
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Neely Griffith
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Mahler Czishcke
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Rau
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Arthur Hunter
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Avione Pichon
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erin Hattier
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shay Zeller
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Fisher
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edwin Bragg
Vice Chairman
Director → Vice Chairman, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rosa Dunlap
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (21)
- Former: Samantha Francois (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Susan G Brennan (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Tung Ly (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Brian Turner (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Nomita Joshi-Gupta (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Mali Carow (2023) — Director
- Former: Beth Colon (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Christopher Reade (2020–2022) — Vice Chairman
- Former: Leopold Sher (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Pam Ryan (2020–2022) — Emeritus Member
- Former: Rachel Czischke (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Tarun Jolly (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Thomas Lemann (2020–2022) — Emeritus Member
- Former: William Hines (2020–2022) — Emeritus Member
- Former: Harry Jones (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Kara Olidge (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Beth Lavin (2020) — Director
- Former: E Tiffany Adler (2020) — Vice Chairman
- Former: Mark Quinn (2020) — Director
- Former: Paola Corrada (2020) — Secretary
- Former: Tod Smith (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Arts Council of New Orleans
How much does Arts Council of New Orleans give each year?
Arts Council of New Orleans gave $520K across 43 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it reported $559K in grants paid.
What is Arts Council of New Orleans's typical grant size?
Arts Council of New Orleans's median grant in 2024 was $11,536, and its average grant was $12,090, across 43 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Arts Council of New Orleans give grants?
Arts Council of New Orleans gives mostly in Louisiana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New Orleans, LA (43 grants).
Does Arts Council of New Orleans give general operating support?
Occasionally: 2% of Arts Council of New Orleans's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 43) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Gen Op" (17 grants), "Gen Op - CAG 2024" (7 grants) and "LPG FY23" (7 grants).
Who are Arts Council of New Orleans's largest grantees?
Arts Council of New Orleans's largest 2024 grantees include New Orleans Ballet Association ($23,909), Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra ($20,403) and Ellis Marsalis Center for Music ($18,943), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 12% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Arts Council of New Orleans?
Arts Council of New Orleans reported $8.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.7M.
What does Arts Council of New Orleans fund?
Arts New Orleans states that it is dedicated to supporting arts and culture in the city. Its mission is “Making Art Happen”: supporting public art and artists, and creating work that inspires, connects, and enriches the community through creative expression. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Arts Council of New Orleans?
Arts Council of New Orleans has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check artsneworleans.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Arts Council of New Orleans's EIN?
Arts Council of New Orleans's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 72-0778258. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 22, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Arts Council of New Orleans's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Arts Council of New Orleans funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/arts-council-of-new-orleans-morg_b030b8b1b32740d6aabdf1cecb5d7876
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_720778258_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Arts Council of New Orleans funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/arts-council-of-new-orleans-morg_b030b8b1b32740d6aabdf1cecb5d7876},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Arts Council of New Orleans's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Arts Council of New Orleans down — hundreds of funders to go?