BATON ROUGE, La. – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development, Division of the Arts, announced the establishment of the Ferriday Downtown Cultural District, bringing the number of certified Cultural Districts across Louisiana to 128, representing 78 municipalities in 43 parishes.
The new district in Concordia Parish is part of Louisiana’s statewide Cultural Districts program, which uses arts, culture, and historic preservation as tools for community revitalization and economic development.
Ferriday’s cultural heritage is rooted in its musical legacy, with the Delta Music Museum serving as a centerpiece of the community’s connection to the Delta’s rich musical history. The museum celebrates the lives and careers of musicians and entertainers with ties to the region, helping preserve the stories and sounds that have shaped Louisiana’s cultural identity. The new Cultural District will build on that legacy while creating additional opportunities to showcase Ferriday’s history, arts, and creative community.
“Cultural Districts give communities an opportunity to tell their story, celebrate what makes them unique, and use their culture to create new opportunities,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “Ferriday has a rich history and a tremendous cultural story to tell, and this designation will help bring more attention and investment to the downtown area. When we invest in our culture, we are investing in the future of our communities and in Louisiana as a whole.”
Certified Cultural Districts benefit from a targeted tax incentive. Renovation projects involving historic buildings may qualify for state historic tax credits.
Created by Act 298 of the 2007 Regular Legislative Session, the Louisiana Cultural Districts program is designed to ignite community revitalization through cultural activity by providing tax incentives and technical assistance to designated districts.
Cultural Districts are unique reflections of the heritage, history, and cultural character of the communities they represent. While many are in traditional downtown areas, districts can also be found in suburban, rural, and neighborhood communities throughout the state.
The program has become an important economic development tool for communities seeking to attract investment, support local businesses and expand opportunities for artists and cultural organizations.
The most recent economic impact data available for Cultural District locations show the program's growing impact in communities across Louisiana. In 2025, Cultural Districts:
- Attracted more than 4 million attendees to 2,813 events
- Supported the opening of 1,010 new businesses
- Contributed to 512 public art projects
“Culture is not just something we preserve in Louisiana, it's something we build on. Our Cultural Districts are creating new businesses, new experiences, and new reasons for people to visit and invest in communities across our state,” added Lt. Governor Nungesser.