Cultural Districts Program

What is a Cultural Products District?

The primary goal of the Cultural Products District (CPD) is to revitalize the communities and contribute to the lives and livelihoods of the citizens by creating locally driven hubs of cultural activity.  The program provides two incentives for communities to create or rebuild cultural destinations:

Renovations to historic structures (the building must be over 50 years of age from current year) within the district may be eligible for state historic tax credits.

Sales of original, one-of-a-kind works of visual art are exempt from local sales tax.

Cultural Products Districts play a vital role in the life, economic and cultural development of New Orleans.  Most focus on a cultural asset such as a major art institution, art and entertainment businesses, and/or artisan production.  These communities are actively engaged in the promotion, preservation, and educational aspects of the arts and culture of the neighborhood.  Each neighborhood in New Orleans has its own unique history, traditions, culture and even architecture. 

Other benefits produced by the CPD program include increased occupancy, property renovations, an improved sense of community, and increases in cultural activities and related jobs. 

For more details on the CPD program, including the legislation, application process and state-wide cultural districts outside of New Orleans, visit the official state website

What Qualifies as Original Works of Visual Art?

Original works of visual art eligible for the tax exemption include:

  • Visual art: not limited to but including drawing, painting, sculpture, clay, ceramics, glass, fiber, leather, metal, paper, wood, installation art, light sculpture, wearable art, or mixed media
  • Art made by the hand of the artist or under his direction
  • Art not intended for mass production
  • Limited, numbered editions (up to 100) of lithographs, photography, silk screen, intaglios, etchings and graphic design
  • Ineligible media and products: performing arts, food products, live plants, music recordings, and reproductions of original art works

Orleans Parish Cultural Districts:

Click the Cultural District name to see a map of the current district boundary.

A.P. Tureaud Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
Carrollton Hollygrove Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
Federal City, Tunisburg Cultural District Algiers Orleans
Old Algiers Cultural District Algiers Orleans
Downtown Development Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
Faubourg St John Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
French Quarter Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
Freret-Claiborne Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
Gentilly/Ponchartrain Park Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
Irish Channel/Garden District Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
Lafitte Greenway Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
Lincoln Beach Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
Lower 9th Ward Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
Lower Garden District Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
Magazine Street Gallery Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
Milan Delachaise Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
Museum-City Park Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
Oak Street Riverbend Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
Oretha Castle Haley Blvd Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
Pines Village Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
Rampart-Basin St Corridor Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
South Broad Street Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
St. Claude Corridor Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
Treme/7th Ward Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
Touro-Bouligny Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
Uptown University Cultural District New Orleans Orleans
Viet Village Cultural District New Orleans Orleans

 

Contact Information

Information on state historic tax credits and other tax incentives can be found at www.louisianahp.org.

  • Contact Tax Incentives Director, 225-342-8160

For further information on sales tax exemptions and other questions about the Louisiana Cultural Districts Program, please contact:

  • Francesca Vega, Director of Civic Design & Cultural Districts
    Louisiana Office of Cultural Development
    Division of the Arts
    225-342-8161
    fvega@crt.la.gov

For information regarding Orleans Parish Cultural Districts and Liaison Relations, please contact: 

  • Mashaera Alexander, Development & Communications Manager
    Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy
    City of New Orleans
    504-658-4932
    mashaera.alexander@nola.gov

 

  • Micah Theodore, Strategic Policy & Communications VISTA Associate
    Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy
    City of New Orleans
    504-658-4961
    micah.theodore@nola.gov