BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana is marking October with a series of statewide events highlighting the state’s culture and heritage, including National Arts and Humanities Month, Archaeology Month, Atchafalaya Month and Louisiana Folklife Month.
The Office of Cultural Development is leading the effort with programs recognizing artists, tradition bearers and cultural institutions across the state. Events include Sugarfest at the West Baton Rouge Museum on Oct. 5, where the Division of Archaeology and the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area will showcase sugarcane history and archaeology. The Division of Archaeology also released a poster focused on Louisiana sugar mills.
Later in the month, the Louisiana Division of the Arts will host the Louisiana Arts Summit on Oct. 9–10, featuring sessions on the economic and social impact of the arts. The summit will also include an announcement of new Culinary Arts projects funded through the Louisiana Project Grant program.
The Folklife Program will honor five 2025 tradition bearers: quilter Monique Metrailer of Baton Rouge, Black Masking Indian Dianne Honoré of New Orleans, zydeco musician C.J. Chenier of Opelousas, basketmaker Geraldine Robertson of Baton Rouge and roots musicians Smithfield Fair of Alexandria.
Assistant Secretary of Cultural Development Carrie Broussard said the monthlong celebration highlights the state’s diverse culture. “Through public art, preservation of historic places, and documentation of Louisiana’s living traditions, our partnerships with organizations across the state continue to strengthen and showcase Louisiana’s vibrant cultural landscape,” she said.
More information on scheduled events and cultural programs is available at LouisianaArts.org and LouisianaFolklife.org.