The fund is currently seeking applications from businesses whose main areas of focus include one or more of the following: Dance, theater, music, film, visual art, digital media, design, culinary arts, literary arts and fashion.
The deadline for applications 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15.
Startups, as well as established businesses, are eligible to apply, as are limited liability partnerships, sole proprietorships and incorporated businesses. Applicant businesses must have gross annual revenues of less than $500,000. A priority will be given to those applicants that provide products or services that do not duplicate those that already exist in the region. Moreover, the fund will prefer businesses whose products or services add to the sustainability of Louisiana's cultural economy.
Ineligible for the program are nonprofits, individuals (other than sole proprietorships), religious organizations, government entities and businesses with outstanding state or federal tax obligations.
Ultimately, nine to 12 applicants will be accepted into a "Catapult Boot Camp," an eight-week, nine-session program, including discussion and training on on topics ranging from credit and finance to social media and marketing.
The fund will award a total of $50,000 in grants to participants who, after this boot camp, create the best business plan.
Partners in the initiative include:
- The Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation, which will oversee the online application process
- Capital One Bank and the Louisiana Small Business Development Center, which together program and operate the boot camp workshops
- New Orleans' Ashé Cultural Arts Center, which will provide community outreach, as well as computer access and personal assistance with online applications.
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