Economic Development Through the Arts
OVERVIEW
From July 1—8, Global New Orleans welcomed 14 emerging leaders in the arts, media, and cultural policy from 11 African nations for a week-long exploration of how the creative economy drives community development and resilience.
The delegation engaged with a diverse network of cultural leaders and institutions, beginning with peer-to-peer exchanges and artistic demonstrations at YA/YA (Young Aspirations/Young Artists), and continuing through impactful site visits to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and Ashé Cultural Arts Center. These visits highlighted local efforts to preserve heritage, educate youth, and uplift communities through music, theater, and visual arts.
Participants gained practical insight into legal and economic frameworks that support creatives through sessions with The Ella Project, which provides pro bono legal services to artists, and concluded their exchange with a robust policy dialogue at Gallier Hall. There, they met with representatives from the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy, Film New Orleans, and the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism to discuss how public institutions invest in and advocate for arts-driven economic growth at the local and state level.
Cultural immersion was woven throughout the program, including meals at iconic New Orleans spots like St. Roch Market and Melba’s, as well as time to experience U.S. Independence Day festivities on the Mississippi Riverfront.
By connecting New Orleans’ vibrant cultural ecosystem with the work of arts leaders across Africa, the program fostered dialogue, collaboration, and a shared commitment to harnessing the power of the arts for economic and social advancement.
PARTICIPANTS
Abdelkader DJERIOU
Head, Sidi Bel ABBES Theatre
Nassim SACI
Owner, Diversity Rhythm Polyphonic (DRP)
Sonia Amel ZEMOURI
Finance and Administration Manager, Artissimo
Daniko Kitsissa BUMBA
Teacher, American Schools of Angola
Lexxus DENDE ESAKANU
President, Surveillance Board, SOCODA
Jolie Joanna MUGISA DHENA
Legal and Technical Advisor, Ministry of Culture
Lution (Mzwandile Nxumalo)
Director and Sound Engineer, XLR Media
Christine Savane MABWA
Founder/Director, Anno’s Africa One Fine Day
Luana Nyatshave Pires JANE
International Business Development Manager, Tempus Global Group
Tchatcho (Serge Sebastien Rac CLEMENT ALBERT)
Director, ATC Media Services
Adefemi GBADAMOSI
Founder and Chief Medical Director, Foladavid Care Foundation
Amath NIANE
Cinematographer, Editor, and Director
Darion Thorne ADAMS
Artist
Lesedi JOB
Theatre Director and Actress, Own S. Management
