New Orleans Neighborhoods Partnership Network

Neighborhoods Served:
• Central City / Magnolia

Planning District:
2

Ward:
1

Zip Codes:
70113

Boundaries:
The City Planning Commission defines the boundaries of Central City as these streets: MLK Boulevard, South Claiborne Avenue, Pontchartrain Expressway, Magazine Street, Thalia Street, Prytania Street, Felicity Street, St. Charles Avenue, Toledano Street, Louisiana Avenue and Washington Avenue.[3]

Council Representative:
Stacy Head

State Representative:
Neil Abramson

Police Precinct:
6

President / Director:
Carol Bebelle

Mission:

Ashe Cultural Arts Center is an initiative of Efforts of Grace, Inc., a not-for-profit, 501©(3), organization that creates and supports programs, activities, and creative works emphasizing the contributions of people of African descent. Located in Central City, the Center provides opportunities for art presentations, community development, artist support, and the creation of partnerships that amplify outreach and support efforts.

During post-Hurricane Katrina recovery, it has acted as a community-based center for the activities of ReBuild New Orleans, and has taken a leadership role in implementing the strategy to repopulate the Central City neighborhood with its former residents and new like-minded neighbors.

Further, the Center boasts a repertoire of original theater works that are available for touring, and provides sponsorship for many private, public, community-focused, and family-oriented events.

PRODUCING AND SPONSORING
ORIGINAL THEATER WORKS
DANCE
SPOKEN WORD
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CULTURAL PROGRAMS
VISUAL ARTS
CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, EVENTS
DRUM CIRCLE
SISTAH’S MAKING A CHANGE

CREATING AND PRESENTING
THE ORIGIN OF LIFE ON EARTH
SWIMMING UPSTREAM
THE 13 LESSONS
STORY CIRCLE
HEALTH NUTZ
VOICES NOT FORGOTTEN
MAAFA
COLOR HIM REDD
HOLIDAY ON THE BOULEVARD
MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE GOSPEL FEST
GREAT DAY PHOTO SHOOT

2007 BIG EASY AWARD WINNER

Current Priorities:

• Comunity Health
• Cultural and Community Facilities
• Economic Development
• Re-population and Membership

Partners:

Ashe has several partnerships locally and nationally with organizations that are undertaking similar work in their communities. Efforts of Grace, the parent organization of Ashe, is a member of the neighborhood merchants and business association and a larger Central City Renaissance Alliance and the Central City Partnership. All these entities are dedicated to the redevelopment of Ashe’s immediate historic Central City neighborhood through the utilization of its legacy of culture, commerce and activism. Locally, Ashe also administers Side By Side, a support program for individual artists.

On the national level, Efforts of Grace is a member of the National Performance Network and the Visual Arts Network, which provide touring and residency opportunities for performing and visual artists, respectively. Efforts of Grace has also been a member of the Ford Foundation/Partners for Livable Communities “Shifting Sands” initiative, which sought to use cultural organizations to buffer, channel and ameliorate the tensions and possibilities arising from changing demographics in American communities of all sizes.

For More Info:

Call (504) 569-9070, or visit http://www.ashecac.org.