This October, The Ella Project, a cornerstone of New Orleans’ arts and culture scene, will celebrate two decades of service to the city’s artists, musicians and cultural creators. Founded in 2004, the nonprofit has provided pro bono legal services and advocacy to over 2,000 clients in the arts, fostering an equitable, vibrant cultural landscape.

The Ella Project invites the community to join its 20th-anniversary celebration on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at The Octavia Gallery (700 Magazine St.). The event will feature live music by Andy Neubauer, snacks, and bubbly. While the event is open to the public, attendees are encouraged to RSVP to ensure enough food and drink are available for all.

The Ella Project launched its first pro bono legal clinic in December 2004 at the former Tipitina’s Music Office Co-Op on Tulane Avenue. Since then, it has become a critical resource for Louisiana’s cultural community, offering legal assistance, business support and advocacy services to artists, musicians and grassroots nonprofits.

Led by Co-Founder Ashlye Keaton, the organization provides help with copyright, trademark, contract negotiations, licensing and both for-profit and nonprofit incorporation. The Ella Project also assists low- to moderate-income inventors through its Louisiana Invents Patent Pro Bono Program, which matches applicants with registered patent attorneys.

Beyond legal services, The Ella Project offers workshops and entrepreneurial training, ensuring that creators have the tools to thrive in a competitive economy. Through its Tête-à-Tête consultancy network, the nonprofit provides one-on-one business consulting with industry experts, and its advocacy efforts focus on shaping policies that benefit Louisiana’s cultural community.

The Ella Project’s commitment to the arts has been instrumental in supporting the unique creative voices that make New Orleans’ culture so distinctive. As the organization celebrates 20 years, it remains focused on its mission to ensure justice and opportunity for the creators who define Louisiana’s artistic landscape.

For more information on The Ella Project’s services and to RSVP for the 20th-anniversary celebration, visit ellaproject.org.

Event Details:

• Date: October 9, 2024
• Time: 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
• Location: The Octavia Gallery (700 Magazine St.), New Orleans, LA
• Admission: Free, open to the public, RSVP requested