On Tuesday, March 10th, 2026, longtime New Orleans resident, arts and literacy advocate, Laurence Copel launches a new grassroots organization on a mission. Alongside a small but mighty team of both New Orleans-based and France-based artists, organizers and producers, she is in the process of creating a physical cultural center and artists residence in the Aveyron region of southern France for New Orleans culture bearers.

The organization, entitled the Cultural Center for New Orleans in Southern France , or Centre Culturel pour la Nouvelle-Orléans dans le Sud de la France in French, and C-C-N-O-S-F for short, is dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of New Orleans culture in France, and beyond, while fostering inter-cultural exchange. The center plans to offer New Orleans art exhibits, live concerts, talks, artist and activist residencies, as well as interactive programming for the residents of the local host community in the Aveyron region in southern France.

For now, the organization is in its first start-up phase of fundraising while Ms. Copel and her advisory board explore property options in Aveyron this year. Ms. Copel is providing seed funding to launch this endeavor, with the goal of recruiting other fiscal partners and/or grants to bring this center to fruition.

To introduce this new project to the New Orleans community, welcome ideas and feedback, and to begin its fundraising efforts, CCNOSF hosts its Soft Launch Party and first fundraiser in partnership with the New Orleans Jazz Museum, which has graciously teamed up with the organization as an ongoing partner. The event takes place on Tuesday, March 10th from 4pm - 6pm on the Jazz Museum’s courtyard lawn for a special edition of its Tuesday Balcony Concert Series, featuring the Grammy Award winning Hot 8 Brass Band , also longtime friends of Ms. Copel.

Ms. Copel and several CCNOSF board members will be present to talk about the organization’s plans, answer questions, and welcome ideas. Admission is free and open to the public of all ages. Sliding scale donations of $5 - $50 to support the opening of CCNOSF are suggested. RSVP HERE | MORE DETAILS