Cité des Arts in Lafayette focuses on cultivating a space for local performing arts groups, writers, playwrights, dance groups and bands to have an affordable space to create. Daniel Ladmirault, executive director at Citè des Arts. Cité's origin story is about finding a solution.
The whole idea is the brainchild of doctor Maureen Brennan, who's our founder and executive director emerita. In the late 1990s, the Lafayette Community Theater was closed, so there were no performing groups in Lafayette. Cité was created to fill that void and become a space for theater.
It evolved into a multidiscipline, multiuse facility. We do a little bit of everything. Our real mission is to focus on grassroots art development.
We focus on cultivating and giving a safe space for local performing arts groups, writers, playwrights, dance groups and bands to have an affordable space to create. We turned 22 in June. Our solution is to give up-and-coming performers, visual artists and more a space to develop their crafts.
Because we have so many disciplines, the lobby is always a place where new ideas are coming from and people who are working together. Our philosophy has always been, especially as executive director, I really don't say no to anyone. Everyone has the opportunity to come into this space and use it.
By having so many different artists and influences, the space is organically diverse, inclusive and equitable. We have different cultures, races, religions all coming together in one space creating art and exchanging ideas. Cité des Arts in Lafayette serves as a space for artists to create and share their work with the public.
It's vital not just in Lafayette but everywhere. The organization gives the opportunity for exposure to different voices and points of view. We're always looking to open anyone's voice and creativity.
At the bottom of my email signature, I have our diversity and equity statement. I think the most important line in that is, "We commit ourselves to giving equal and affordable access to create and consume art that builds and sustains the diversity of voices in our community." The key is to build and sustain that diversity.
That's what art does, that's what it's supposed to do. We rent the space to groups that have summer theater workshops, like the Music Academy of Acadiana and Danny Devillier's Good Time Rock Retreat. Our goal is to give people a home and space who don't have one.
I'm also working to collaborate with University of Louisiana's English Department for creative writing, like the Short Story Society. In August, we have had Theater Happy Hour, which is a once-a-month gathering for networking and an opportunity for people to get to know the local performers. .
.. Thursday, Aug.
29, we're showcasing Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks, produced by Black Theater Experience and directed by Josiah Price and Tina Burkhalter. In September, we have a new musical that's being developed locally by a young playwright, Ian Bona, titled "Bartender.".
