SOUND PLACES making a big noise!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

July 1, 2017- The Office of the Lt. Governor and the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism are pleased to announce certification of 5 new Cultural Districts. This brings the total number of Cultural District to 89, in 59 towns and 36 parishes in all corners of Louisiana, evidence that this is a successful initiative embraced by local governments and cultural stakeholders throughout the state.

The new districts certified in 2017 are:

• Brandon Cultural Districts (W. Feliciana)
• Carrollton Hollygrove Cultural District (Orleans)
• Garyville Cultural District (St. John the Baptist)
• LaPlace Cultural District (St. John the Baptist)
• Reserve Cultural District (St. John the Baptist)
• River Road Cultural District (St. John the Baptist)

For a complete list of Cultural Districts and maps of each district click here

For more information, questions or comments please email or call Gaye Hamilton, 225-342-8161, ghamilton@crt.la.gov

2016 ANNUAL REPORT

The Executive Summary of the 2016 Annual Report features the highlights of the full report which is a compilation of the individual reports submitted cultural districts in existence in 2016.

• 2015 Annual Report
• 2014 Annual Report
• 2013 Annual Report
• 2012 Annual Report
• 2011 Annual Report
• 2010 Annual Report

LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION

1. Overview of the the Cultural District Program
2. Act 298
3. Cultural Districts Rules
4. Historic Tax Credit Information
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
6. Forms
   • Cultural Districts Guidelines and Application Form
   • Sample Resolution for Cultural Districts
   • Annual Reporting Requirements
   • Business List
     • Business List requirements
     • Business List Form
   • Cultural District LOGO
7. Cultural Districts Power Point Presentation
8. National Resources

Important Information about Original Art Tax Exemption Sales ~ Updated to show changes effective July 2016-June 2018

• April 2016 Update-During the First Extraordinary Session of 2016 changes to the Original Art Sales Tax Exemption were passed. The exemption of 4% state sales tax for qualifying original art sales in Cultural Districts is suspended 4/1/16 through 6/30/16.
• July 2016 - 3% state tax must be collected for original art sold in Cultural Districts. Local sales tax exemptions remain in place. See the April 2016 Update for details. 
• Important Info - Special Events, Craft Shows, Trade Shows Questions concerning sales tax at special events and markets can be directed to special.events@la.gov        
• Questions concerning the collection of the state sales tax and the applicable exemptions and exclusions in effect can be directed to sales.inquiries@la.gov
• Revenue Department itemized listing of sales tax by exemption: http://revenue.louisiana.gov/Publications/R-1002A%203-29-16.pdf
• The Sales Tax Presentation contains illustrations of forms that must be used to report tax exempt sales of original art sold in Cultural Districts. The Notes for each slide answer questions and describe the process required to conduct and document sales.
• The Cultural District Certificate of Exemption form should be completed by the art seller for each qualifying tax exempt sale of original art. Click here for Sales Tax Exemption Instructions.
• All sales should be reported to the state and local government- The Louisiana State Sales Tax Report Form is also available for download at Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) website. Select the current R-1029 - Sales Tax Return.
• Parish Sales Tax Report Forms are available for download through the LATA website. Below Click on the parish, scroll down and click on Forms, select the most recent Sales and Use Tax Report and Instructions.
• Art Defined Q & A addresses common questions about what qualifies as original art under the definition adopted for use by the Cultural District program.
• To request an Advisory Opinion about whether a work of art qualifies for sales tax exemption under the definition adopted for the Cultural District program submit the Original Art Advisory Opinion Form.  

RESOURCES for CULTURAL DISTRICTS

Creative Economy Data - Facts and figures on the value of the creative economy  Link to NASAA.

National Cultural District Exchange Toolkit - Tools and resources to help guide development and advancement of Cultural Districts. Link to AFTA

Community Visioning Workbook - Americans for the Arts (AFTA) created a DIY guide to conduct a Community Visioning Forum- to explore what a "healthy, vibrant, equitable community" is; what role arts can play in pursuing the vision of that idealized community; and how people, organizations and institutions can help achieve that vision. Link to PDF

Creative Placemaking Resources - A list of Articles, Books, Websites, Grants, and Organizations with a wealth of information about Creative Placemaking. Link to PDF.

Creative Placemaking Report - Arnaudville Cultural District is featured in the Mayor's Institute on City Design's white paper summarizes two decades of creative American placemaking, drawing on original economic research and case studies of pathbreaking initiatives in large and small cities, metropolitan to rural, as well as published accounts. Link to PDF

CULTURAL DISTRICTS in the NEWS