April 9, 2025 | From City of New Orleans
MAYOR’S OFFICE OF CULTURAL ECONOMY ANNOUNCES FREDERICK “WOOD” DELAHOUSSAYE AS NEW DIRECTOR
NEW ORLEANS — The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy (OCE) today announced the appointment of Frederick “Wood” Delahoussaye as its new Director. The announcement was made during OCE’s Q1 Press Conference last Wednesday, where Mayor LaToya Cantrell and OCE leaders emphasized the importance of cultural investment following major economic milestones from the successful celebrations of Super Bowl LIX and Mardi Gras 2025.
“New Orleans artists, musicians, and creative entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy, and we must ensure they have the tools to succeed,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “Wood brings both passion and experience to this role, and I do not doubt that his leadership will drive meaningful growth for our City’s cultural sector.”
Delahoussaye has served as OCE’s Deputy Director since June 2024, and brings decades of valuable experience and a deep commitment to the cultural community. Before joining OCE, he served as the Chief Creative Officer at the Ashé Cultural Arts Center, a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating and supporting the people, places, and philosophies of the African Diaspora.
A proud native of New Orleans, Delahoussaye is a multidisciplinary artist, curator, and community servant. He currently serves on the Steering Committee for the Hurricane Katrina 20th Anniversary Advisory Commission, the National Advisory Board of Imagining America, the Public Sector and Cultural Policy Committee for Grantmakers in the Arts, and the Board of Directors for the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA). He is also a John O'Neal Cultural Arts Fellow, a Community Leader for Tulane University’s Mellon Foundation Graduate Program in Community-Engaged Scholarship, and an alum of the Intercultural Leadership Institute.
In addition to his leadership and advocacy, Delahoussaye is a published author and performer. His artistic credits include acclaimed works such as Distorted Images and Taken with KM Dance Project, Junebug Productions' Homecoming Project, and Ashé Cultural Arts Center's Big Easy Award-winning The Origin of Life on Earth.
His numerous accolades include the Asante Foundation's Cultural Ambassador Award for Performance Art, the National Performance Network's Mentorship and Leadership Award, and the Archdiocese of New Orleans' Servant Leader Award.
“Our cultural economy is a living, breathing force that deserves investment and care, and it is my mission to ensure that artists and cultural businesses have the resources, opportunities, and support they need to thrive in this city,” said Delahoussaye. “I look forward to collaborating with stakeholders in our creative industries to ensure we build a stronger, more inclusive future for the New Orleans cultural sector.”
About the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy
The Mayor's Office of Cultural Economy is dedicated to fostering economic growth and vitality within New Orleans' diverse cultural sectors. The mission of OCE is to create an environment where artists, creatives, and cultural producers can thrive, contributing to the overall economic well-being of our city. For more information, visit nola.gov/next/cultural-economy/.
###