It’s official: New Orleans is a world-class “Creative City of Music.”
Capping off a years-long effort by local tourism leaders, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, has made New Orleans a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
The Creative Cities Network has 350 member cities in more than 100 countries. New Orleans is only the 10th American city.
Of those 10, only New Orleans and Kansas City earned UNESCO’s “Creative City of Music” designation.
The application process commenced three years ago and was facilitated by New Orleans and Co., the local tourism industry’s official destination marketing and sales organization.
“Not only does this designation fortify our seat at the global table, but it opens avenues for our culture bearers to connect with others in the industry in a way never before possible,” Walt Leger, III, President & CEO of New Orleans & Company, said in a prepared statement.
“This recognition for our music community is well-deserved and will help ensure New Orleans’ rightful place as the most unique, remarkable and welcoming destination in the world.”
In a news release, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said, “Getting this designation is a tremendous achievement for the city of New Orleans…. Becoming a UNESCO Creative City of Music opens doors to our culture bearers and will help us further amplify the positive social and economic impacts of New Orleans’ music industry.”
The campaign got a big boost in February when NO&C officials received word that New Orleans is one of two cities, from two different creative fields, that the U.S. Mission to UNESCO selected to receive a letter of support from the State Department.
That letter essentially confirmed New Orleans as one of the United States’ official applicant cities to the UNESCO program.
UNESCO launched its network program in 2004 as part of the organization’s mission to facilitate global peace through cultural exchange and cooperation. It covers seven creative fields: design, film, music, crafts and folk art, literature, media arts and gastronomy.
The designated cities form a sort of mutual support system, with the hope being that they work together to promote culture and creativity. The UNESCO designation can also be used to market New Orleans to potential international visitors.
An advisory board that supported New Orleans’ bid included musicians Jon Batiste, Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, Mia Borders and Robin Barnes, Roots of Music founder Derrick Tabb, French Quarter Festival president/CEO Emily Madero and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival producer/director Quint Davis.
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