News Release

BATON ROUGE, La. (GNB) – A new agreement will strengthen cultural, artistic and heritage links between New Brunswick and Louisiana.

“We have shared many historical, cultural, and economic ties for a very long time,” said Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister Tammy Scott-Wallace. “Artists and cultural businesses are important to our communities and our economy in New Brunswick. Strengthening connections with Louisiana will create many opportunities that will benefit both regions.”

Scott-Wallace and Billy Nungesser, lieutenant governor of Louisiana, signed the agreement at a ceremony in Baton Rouge.

At the 2019 World Acadian Congress, the two jurisdictions recognized the need to facilitate and support the promotion of culture, heritage, and tourism in their respective jurisdictions.

“In 2019, I visited New Brunswick for the Acadian World Congress,” said Nungesser. “After experiencing a culture and art scene much like ours in Louisiana, it was easy to recognize the value that artists, cultural businesses and the uniqueness of communities have on the economic growth in both our state and New Brunswick. By strengthening our cultural connections, we can create opportunities for further economic growth between our two regions.”

The memorandum of understanding signed today recognizes the value that vital, creative individuals, institutions, businesses and communities have on the economic well-being of New Brunswick and Louisiana. It includes initiatives designed to:

·         promote cultural, artistic and heritage links;

·         share best practices from the creative field, heritage and museum spaces that could foster new partnerships and cross-border activities; and

·         identify the professional development needs in heritage and culture in both jurisdictions with educational institutions.

“We have a unique relationship as seen in the strong ties between the Acadian and Cajun communities,” said Scott-Wallace. “This agreement will result in more opportunities for artists, performers, institutions, and businesses in the creative field.”