The LEH Announces Cultural Innovation Incubator

As the Central Business District continues its renaissance, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH) offers a new opportunity for cultural activity based in downtown New Orleans. The LEH Culture-Up Incubator is a shared workspace offering a professional environment to be productive and collaborate with cultural-sector leaders and innovators. The LEH is a leader in telling Louisiana stories to the world. With more than forty years experience in capacity building, content development and public program implementation for Louisiana’s cultural sector via grant making and strategic partnerships, the LEH is the best entity to launch and support the first incubator dedicated to cultural innovators.

At its headquarters at historic Turners’ Hall, the LEH will make available “desk” and “nook” spaces featuring:

The Desk:  features one (1) workspace within a semi-private, open floor plan design ($250 per month)

• 1 Permanent large desk-work area, 1 lockable drawer unit and, 1 chair.
• 12 hour daily access to Culture-Up Incubator for 1 member (7am-7pm).
• Access to Wi-Fi, fax and copy machine for 1 member.
• Mail box and physical mailing address.
• Access to common spaces and small conference rooms.
• Discount on meeting space and event rentals.

The Nook:  features two (2) workspaces within a semi-private, open floor plan design ($450 per month)

• 2 Permanent large desk-work areas, 2 lockable drawer units, and 2 chairs.
• 12 hour daily access to Culture-Up Incubator for 2 members (7am-7pm).
• Access to Wi-Fi, fax and copy machine for 2 members.
• Mail box and physical mailing address.
• Access to common spaces and small conference rooms.
• Discount on meeting space and event rentals.

Incubator membership options include access to two conference rooms, a kitchen, overnight storage and complimentary tea and coffee. Discounts are available to members for use of Louisiana Humanities Education Center and Board Room. Turners’ Hall is strategically located in downtown New Orleans within walking distance of the Southmarket District, Rouses’, the Poydras Corridor, the Julia Street Art District, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and numerous cultural institutions.  Reflecting a diverse international heritage common in Louisiana history, Turners’ Hall is an Italianate building commissioned by a German charitable organization known as the Turner Society. The building was designed by Prussian refugee William Theil in 1868 and has been owned by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities since 2000.

Eligible applicants include for-profit and non-profit entities as well as individuals whose work enhances the cultural sector of our state.  For more information on Culture-Up, visit www.leh.org/cultureup, or contact Shantrell Austin or Danice Faulkner-Edwards.