The City of New Orleans VISTA program is implemented by the Office of Mayor LaToya Cantrell and Office of Cultural Economy. The City is seeking passionate individuals to build capacity to break the cycle of poverty and empower our community. The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy works with culture bearers, artists, musicians, designers, writers, and all other cultural stakeholders to enhance their economic opportunities. Our mission is to develop the cultural economic sector to improve their lives and enhance the cultural life of the city. We conduct economic research, formulate policy, provide platforms for artists to work, fund programming, partner with organizations to deliver services such as healthcare, and much more.
The VISTA project will create a report on the cultural economy in the city of New Orleans for 2020. This report will cover major economic indicators in the six segments of the cultural economy: entertainment, visual arts and crafts, culinary, literary arts and humanities, preservation, and design. The purpose of the economic report is to disseminate knowledge of the importance and impact of the cultural economy to leaders, businesses, potential investors, cultural institutions, and more in New Orleans and beyond. This will spur investment, both monetarily and politically, in developing the cultural economy and directly impact the livelihoods of cultural producers, many of whom earn low wages and/or live in poverty. The report will also be a tool for nonprofits and individuals to apply for funding.
Service Activities
Throughout one year of service, the VISTA member will work with the Office of Cultural Economy to create a 20-page report on the cultural economic sector in New Orleans in 2020 that includes the following:
Jobs
Wages
Businesses
Sales taxes paid by businesses
Nonprofits
Financials of nonprofits
Film activity and local expenditures by major film production
The VISTA member will also conduct outreach and feedback sessions with cultural stakeholders, cultural workers, artists, entertainers, community advocates, cultural nonprofits, cultural businesses, street performers, traditional practitioners such as Mardi Gras Indians, and other City offices on the content and purpose of the report.
Community Need Addressed
The CNO VISTA Program supports City Hall by implementing sustainable capacity building projects to increase the effectiveness of each department.
Position Outcomes
Our VISTA members help the City strengthen existing services and provide more services for underserved and disproportionately impacted communities.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Relocation allowance (if applicable), Student loan forbearance
Education Benefits
College Degree
N/A
Skills you will gain
Professional Development
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process
Tools
Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients