History
In 1980 interested Bossier City citizens along with Mayor Anding, began discussing the need for a service agency dedicated to the arts. Hence, the Bossier Art Association was born. In 1980 the Division of the Arts was the first to granted monies to BAA. The Bossier Art Association wrote the application, Shreveport Regional Arts Council administered the grant, and Bossier Art Association, Shreveport Regional Arts council, and the City of Bossier matched funds. Also the City of Bossier City provided office space, hired an employee and donated some operational monies.
The Bossier Art Association produced a spring exhibit; thus, the first program of the Association was an expansion in scope and vision for the exhibit. Bossier City’s first arts festival, Art in the Park, was born. Free art classes for nursing home residents, and for children in parks and recreation centers were soon to follow. The BAA then added a national program that sent a performing artist into an area for residency; thus the beginning of the Arts in Schools program. Art contest for children came immediately after. The Bossier Art Association group sought to act as a service agency rather than a promoting agency by enhancing other cultural events and acting as an administrative resource. The Bossier Art Association continued to expand programming and events in a variety of arts areas: music, theatre, exhibits, and education.
In September of 1984, the City of Bossier City suggested that Bossier Art Association was ready to separate from the city. Prior to that time, the directors had been city employees and much of the programming budget was handled through the city. To help BAA become more independent, the City of Bossier City committed $62,500 annually to the project. The Bossier Art Association moved their office out of the Bossier Parks and Recreation offices at Coleman Street and into the former Bossier Bank and Trust building. The Bossier Art Association formally separated from the City and changed its name to the Bossier Arts Council, but it remains Bossier City’s designated official arts agency, and continues to enjoy their support through financial and personal assistance.
The Bossier Arts Council is currently housed in the Bossier Community Center through the generosity of the City of Bossier City. Council programming is focused on five areas: Arts-In-Education, East Bank Gallery, East Bank Theatre, Kids-N-Art, Public Art, and Re-Granting. The Bossier Arts Council has been providing, promoting, and producing arts events for over 25 years and counting! |
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Bossier Arts Council
630 Barksdale Blvd.
Bossier City, LA 71111
Phone: 318.741.8310
Fax: 318.741.8312
Email: 
Mon-Fri Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00pm |
