A program of

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A program of the Office of the Lt.
Governor providing tax exemptions and credits in
locally designated districts
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Cultural Districts Background

• Cultural Economy Initiative
• 144,000 jobs pre Katrina and Rita in 2005
• Mt. Auburn Associates
• Tax incentive research Feb. 2007
• artist-based incentives
• industry-based incentives
• place-based incentives

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2007 Legislation Primary Goal (modeled after DDD
legislation) To revitalize communities by
creating locally driven hubs of cultural activity
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Cultural Districts

• Geographically contiguous
• Vital role in cultural life of community
• Focus on cultural compound, art institution,
  art/entertainment businesses
• Where artisan production, promotion,
  preservation and education occurs contributing to
  the public good

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Cultural Districts Overview

• Allows local governments to designate cultural
  districts for the purpose of revitalization
• Tax incentives encourage renovations and
  commerce based on local culture
• Benefits may include increased occupancy,
  commerce, jobs, and a sense of community identity
• Requires local governments who designate such
  districts to report on impact to their community

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Application Authority

• Local Governing Authority- the local governing
  authority of the parish or the municipality in
  which the cultural district is located, or both
  if a district is located partially in a
  municipality.
• LGA may designate authority related to
  application and reporting responsibilities

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Tax Incentives

• Expands eligibility of existing state historic
  tax credits for the rehabilitation of commercial
  and residential structures located in Cultural
  Districts
• State and local sales taxes shall not apply to
  the sale of original, one-of-a-kind works of art
  from an established location within the
  boundaries of a Cultural District.
• Check local tax laws for restrictions

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Definition of Original Art

• Original
• One-of-a-kind
• Visual art
• Conceived and made by hand of the artists or
  under his direction
• Not intended for mass production

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Eligible Visual Arts and Crafts

• Include but not limited to drawing, painting,
  sculpture, clay, ceramics, fiber, glass, leather,
  metal, paper, wood, or mixed media and
• Limited numbered editions (up to 100) of
  lithographs, photography, silk screen, intaglios,
  etching, graphic design, installation art, light
  sculpture, video production, and wearable art

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Certifying tax exempt sales

• Vendors shall certify and document each
  tax-exempt sale of original art 
• Complete a Sales Tax Exemption Certificate to be
  retained for audit
• A statement by the vendor certifying that the
  work of art meets the definition of a tax-exempt
  work of art.

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Business Inventory

• Each Cultural District must create and maintain a
  Business Inventory
• List all active businesses that have occupational
  licenses and report revenue from sales of
  services and/or products
• The Inventory will facilitate annual Louisiana
  Department of Revenue reports showing the total
  revenue generated and total amount of estimated
  eligible tax exemptions claimed in each Cultural
  District.

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Reporting requirements
By January of each year, the local governing
authority shall prepare and submit to the
department an annual report on the impact of the
certified cultural district related to the
criteria presented in the application.
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Cultural Districts Process

• Applications due Jul. 1 and Dec. 1 annually
• Technical assistance is available to local
  governments to complete applications
• Panel review/ OCD Assistant Sec. decision
• Certify Cultural Districts within 90 days of
  application
• CRT provide ongoing support for program
  implementation

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For more information
www.crt.state.la.us/culturaldistricts Call
225-342-8161 Email ghamilton_at_crt.state.la.us