Wednesday, Southwest Airlines and Project for Public Spaces announced the three U.S. cities that have been awarded this year’s Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community grants. Now entering its fourth year, this exciting grant program has helped local organizations and partners in 20 cities to re-imagine and reactivate important but under-performing public spaces in their communities.
“The DDD is working to be a leader in creating a greener New Orleans, and to improve access to public space for an expanding group of Downtown users,” said DDD President & CEO Kurt Weigle. “Duncan Plaza is positioned to become a renowned park in Downtown NOLA that will improve the quality of life for all New Orleanians, while attracting visitors and catalyzing new investment. This valuable partnership with the Arts Council and Southwest takes us one step closer to realizing that vision.”
“The Arts Council’s strategic plan reimagines the role an Arts Council can have in transforming a community,” Arts Council President & CEO Nick Stillman said. “It’s empowering for our work to be recognized and supported through competitive national grants. We are grateful to both the Downtown Development District for their partnership and Southwest Airlines for supporting our work and investing in growing the creative culture of New Orleans.”
Click here for more information on the grant and other recipients.
Related story: Duncan Plaza next to New Orleans City Hall pegged for $5 million redesign.