On Sunday, July 20th, join us for ArtBeat: Advocacy in Action, a lively conversation exploring how data and community voices combine to drive meaningful change for arts education in Louisiana. Learn where we stand, who’s advocating, and how you can help shape a stronger creative future. This event may also host a small advocacy panel, featuring Nate McGaha and Ed “Tiger” Verdin. As with all Sundays@4 presentations, this will be free and open to the public.
Presenter/Facilitator: Quaja Bell, Director of Arts Education & Accessibility at the Louisiana Division of the Art
This session is the second in a series of conversations delving into the realities of arts education across the state, exploring accessibility, community experiences, and the proven benefits of arts engagement for students and communities. Throughout this and subsequent conversations, we will examine how the arts contribute to academic success, workforce readiness, and overall well-being, making the case for why arts education should be a priority for Louisiana’s future.
About the Presenter:
Quaja Bell is a celebrated arts educator, instructional designer, and advocate for the arts, now serving as the Director of Arts Education and Accessibility for the Louisiana Division of the Arts. In this role, she leads statewide initiatives to expand arts engagement, support educators, and ensure equitable access to creative opportunities. Her work is driven by a commitment to advancing arts education for all to strengthen Louisiana’s creative landscape for future generations.
About the panelists:
Nate McGaha has served as the Executive Director of Arts North Carolina, the statewide advocacy organization for the arts, since 2017 where he works for public funding and policy for the arts and arts education. He helped to create the Joint Caucus on Arts and Arts Education at the NC General Assembly, shepherded the NC Arts High School Graduation Requirement and the Arts Proficiency High School Diploma Endorsement into law, and has led several statewide initiatives for relief, reopening, and recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a 125% increase in two years of recurring state funding for NC Arts Council Grassroots Arts Program grants. Prior to his work in advocacy, Nate was the Executive Director of Carolina Ballet in Raleigh for five years with Artistic Director Robert Weiss. Before coming to the Raleigh area, he was the Director of Operations at Charlotte Ballet under the Artistic Direction of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride for seven years after serving as that company’s Resident Lighting Designer since 1996. Nate was also the Production Manager and Lighting Designer for the Chautauqua Ballet Company in the summer months from 1997 through 2009 and toured internationally with Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson’s Complexions Dance Company. He is a graduate of UNC School of the Arts where he received a BFA in Design and Production with a concentration in Lighting Design
Ed "Tiger" Verdin, a proud member of the United Houma Nation, serves as Main Street/Public Relations Director for the City of Franklin, Louisiana, and Executive Director of the Louisiana Partnership for the Arts. A nationally recognized, award-winning playwright and Dramatists Guild member, Tiger is a passionate advocate for the arts and arts education. He serves on numerous boards, including the Louisiana State Arts Council, Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts, St. Mary Parish Chamber of Commerce, Cajun Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau, St. John/Hanson Advisory Council, Acadiana Film Association, and is the theatre sponsor for Hanson Memorial High School.
Sundays@4 is presented in partnership with the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area whose mission is to enhance the identity of our unique American landscape by preserving and promoting our heritage and by fostering progress for local champions that create authentic, powerful connections between people, culture, and the environment.