The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience (LMHE) is a forthcoming museum of grand scale dedicated to the preservation of the state’s rich musical history. LMHE will tell the story of Louisiana’s music from the African-American, Native American, French and Spanish influences through all genres of today. An educational institution, LMHE will use exhibits, live music, storytelling with music and interactives to empower and inspire. LMHE will incorporate training programs for musicians, as well as stage, light and sound managers and others. Asynchronous learning programs with lesson plans for teachers will be available for all ages from elementary school to adults so the world will know our story.
LMHE aims to be one of the leading attractions in Louisiana, an essential stop for local, national, and international visitors. Prominently located across the street from the New Orleans Convention Center, on the corner of Convention Center Boulevard and Henderson Street, LMHE will feature a state-of-the-art exhibit space, a performance theater or soundstage, a research/archival area, museum store, space for public events and educational workshop and master class areas.
Sources close to the matter estimate that the economic impact will be “immense.” LMHE commissioned an evaluation of the market and economic opportunity from ConsultEcon, whose feasibility report demonstrated LMHE represents an “outstanding opportunity for both New Orleans and Louisiana as a whole.”
LMHE is currently working with the State of Louisiana to acquire the necessary funding for the project. One of the major asks of LMHE by the State is to bring indication of funding. Of the $165 million project costs, the organization still has $40 million to raise. The goal is to bring $20 million of conditional commitments to show state officials of donor commitments to the funding discussions in April 2025.
These commitments are necessary to demonstrate to the state that it’s worthwhile to invest $45 million from the state’s capital outlay fund. The LMHE’s plan also includes selling $80 million of revenue bonds for the project. The more dollar commitments from pledge donors the better, and individuals and companies, including non-profits are being sought to pledge monetary support as soon as possible before the April deadline. Pledges are contingent on LMHE receiving the balance of the $45 million in capital outlay and obtaining the approvals for the $80 million bond sale.
LMHE founder Chris Beary provided OffBeat with a pledge agreement that anyone can use to pledge monetary support (available here). To learn more about Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience, visit their site.
