Cliff Melius

The committee reviewed and recommended three nominations for listing in the National Register of Historic Places: the Wembley Industries plant in Orleans Parish, the Kemp House in Livingston Parish, and the property known as Indian Mound in East Baton Rouge Parish. Discussions included architectural descriptions, historic integrity, and the naming conventions for the properties. The committee also received updates regarding preservation month, tax incentive project rankings, and grant awards from the National Park Service.

Key discussions included the Louisiana Division of the Arts (LDOA) budget report, which indicated modest mid-year cuts with no anticipated major changes. The Director's report highlighted progress on the Baton Rouge Project with new essays posted, noted the positive reception of the New Populations exhibit, and mentioned Susan Roach receiving a Lifetime Achievement in the Humanities award. Business items covered the 2015 Culture Connection event, which featured sessions on creative placemaking and disaster preparedness. The commission unanimously decided to convey to the Assistant Secretary that the selection committee for the Folklife Heritage Award prefers to submit their final selection and criteria collectively rather than individually. A plan for Folklife Week 2015 was established, with commissioners volunteering to present specific projects across Louisiana in October, supported by NEA grant funds allocated through the Louisiana Folklore Society. The commission also received updates on the Delta Pieces virtual book reception planned for October 1st.

Key discussions included changes in commission membership and the appointment of an Interim State Librarian. The LDOA budget report indicated a decrease in State General fund allocation but an increase in National Endowment for the Arts funds, alongside the hiring of a temporary Folklife Archivist. The Director's report covered the completion of FY23 Passing It On workshops and work on a microsite to feature tradition bearers. Discussions also focused on the Sense of Place---and Loss workshops related to climate migration, and exploring the possibility of creating traveling exhibits to showcase endangered traditions and folk art collections. Business items addressed Folklife Month 2023 events, the ongoing work of the Bayou Culture Collaborative, and confirming the next commission meeting date for January 5, 2024. Several public announcements were made regarding upcoming festivals, trail markers, and publications.

The meeting covered several key administrative and programmatic updates. The Chair announced that this would be the final meeting for current commissioners and welcomed two new appointees, Jessica Richardson and Erik Kreusch. Reports from the LDOA Budget indicated that while the state arts appropriation was cut, funding would continue through the Lt. Governor's Office of Tourism funds. Changes to the Decentralized Arts Funding Program were discussed, including potential shifts from parish-based to region-based funding. The Director's report detailed ongoing Baton Rouge Project work, including contracts for fieldwork and essay completion, and the initiation of a Musical Instruments Project to inventory builders and repairers statewide. Regarding business, approval for the Folklife Heritage Award for 2016 was deferred due to staffing and budgetary limitations, and the next meeting was scheduled for June 2, 2017. Public comments included updates on the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area website videos, a potential State Museum exhibit on women's carnival krewes, and the development of a music trail by the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.

The meeting commenced with a welcome to a new commissioner and discussion regarding changes in commission membership. Key reports included updates on commissioner bios being added to the website, the infrequent use of the commissioners' Facebook group, and the status of the Legends and Lore Marker Program, noting one marker has been erected. The LDOA budget report confirmed continued state and NEA funding for folklife initiatives in FY20. The Director's Report highlighted contacts for the Bayou Culture Collaborative, which supported several workshops and events in late 2019, and the documentation progress for centenarian fiddler Willie Durisseau. Business focused on planning for the 2020 Folklife Month, requiring an accelerated timeline to meet the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities' print deadlines, with several members volunteering as ambassadors. The next full commission meeting was set for June 12, 2020. Announcements included updates on tourism byways videos, the Louisiana Folklore Society meeting, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Center for Louisiana Studies grant, planning for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival sustainability tent, Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation events, and updates on Cultural Districts Program changes and Folk Alliance International sponsorship.