The Louisiana Division of the Arts (LDOA), in partnership with the Louisiana State Arts Council (LSAC), aims to be the catalyst for participation, education, development, and promotion of excellence in the arts. It supports arts institutions, nurtures emerging organizations, assists individual artists, and stimulates public participation across Louisiana. LDOA emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), valuing the arts as essential to life and accessible to all, regardless of geographical location, physical abilities, or income.
The General Operating Support (GOS) Grant Program by the LDOA is designed to back nonprofit 501(c)3 arts organizations that make an impact at various levels from local to international. It aims to aid in the development of arts organizations and to foster a supportive network among entities of different sizes and scopes across the state. The initiative supports a broad spectrum of artistic disciplines such as visual arts, theater, dance, music, folklife, literature, media, and design arts, covering general operating expenses. The grant is categorized into funding tiers to accommodate organizations at different stages, including a new Development Tier for first-time applicants with smaller operating budgets. The program emphasizes strengthening the arts infrastructure, maintaining community authenticity through arts, increasing local consumption of cultural products, stabilizing arts producers and presenters, and nurturing future artists and audiences. This grant awards period covers two fiscal years, offering a biennial support structure.