Nurturing meaningful relationships between artists and communities
ART SPAN NOLA
ArtSpan NOLA is a New Orleans–based 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing collaborative contemporary art. Rooted in New Orleans, we support artists as catalysts for connection through collaborative experimentation that brings artists and communities together to create new work. We expand opportunity, engage audiences, and sustain a living cultural legacy across cities.
Joanie Off the Pony: The Mermaid of New Orleans
Interactive Staged Reading & Audience Workshop
Sunday, July 19, 2026 • 2:00 p.m.
New Orleans Jazz Museum, Performance Center (3rd Floor)
Join us for a special preview of Joanie Off the Pony: The Mermaid of New Orleans, a new multidisciplinary theatrical work currently in development. This immersive presentation brings together artists from New Orleans and Atlanta to explore the emotional, musical, and movement‑based language of the larger work.
Following the performance, audience members are invited to participate in a guided discussion and feedback session with the creative team. Your insights will help shape the next phase of development leading to the work’s full premiere in 2028.
Free and open to the public.
WHO WE ARE
A Collaborative Resource For Contemporary Artists
Art Span NOLA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We provide valuable resources and mentorship for contemporary artists. While our roots are in New Orleans, our outreach spans multiple cities. We are also committed to showcasing and sharing the rich history, creativity, and cultural depth of New Orleans through artistic exchange and collaboration.
WHAT WE DO
Connecting Artists & Communities
Through mentorship, cross-disciplinary exchange, and thoughtful production support, we bring artists and communities into dialogue—encouraging risk-taking, fostering innovation, and supporting the creation of work that resonates across audiences and contexts.
HOW WE DO IT
Community Support
Through your donations, Art Span NOLA provides grants, exhibition opportunities, and mentorship to empower the development and installation of community-focused art projects.
Art With Impact
Values
Community & Collaboration
We believe artists are catalysts for connection and cultural continuity. We value collaboration over isolation, creating opportunities for artists and communities to build together through dialogue, exchange, and shared creativity. Rooted in New Orleans, we honor a culture where creativity is lived, shaped, and continually evolving.
Process & Creative Support
We value process as much as the final work itself. Experimentation, conversation, and creative risk-taking are essential to cultural impact. Through thoughtful production practices, we provide artists with the support, time, and resources to explore ideas and create work with purpose.
Access & Lasting Impact
We are committed to expanding access and opportunity for artists to grow their practice, reach new audiences, and sustain meaningful careers. We believe strong cultural ecosystems are built through relationship, reciprocity, and shared vision—and that art remains one of the most powerful tools for creating lasting connection.