New State Cultural Districts To Be In Jefferson Parish
The state has decided to locate two new state cultural districts in Gretna and Jean Lafitte. One of the main reasons is that these are sites where two historic buildings are located that could possibly qualify for state historic tax credits. Another bonus is that any qualifying art that will be sold at the two locations will be exempt from local sales tax.
In order for any artwork to be exempt from local sales tax it must be an original, one of a kind visual piece, conceived by the artist and made by their hand or under their direction, and not intended for mass production. Art can be reviewed by the Office of Cultural Development to see if it qualifies for tax exemption.
Jefferson Parish will now be the site of five state cultural districts in Louisiana. The first will be the new South Gretna Cultural District that will cover parts of southern Gretna along the south of Gretna Boulevard including Gretna City Park and Timberlane Estates. Everything north of the Westbank Expressway is already included in a separate state cultural district. The new Jean Lafitte Cultural District will include a block on both sides of Jean Lafitte Boulevard from Camille Court south to Shipyard Street.
There are 124 state cultural districts now in Louisiana, including six new districts that were announced. The other new districts were the City of Crowley African American Cultural Historical District in Crowley, Divine Nine Cultural District in Monroe, Franklin Cultural District in Franklin, Pointe-aux-Loups Cultural District in Iota.