Downtown New Orleans

DESCRIPTION

In 2009 George Rodrigue formed GRFA as a non-profit 501©(3) organization. In addition to providing financial assistance in the arts and other areas, GRFA will plan, develop, and implement a series of unique educational art programs that are specially designed to enhance and expand art curriculums, despite continuing state and federal cutbacks.

Student success at any age depends on self-confidence, specifically the belief in one's own ability to walk on the moon, or fight fires, or raise a family, or perform on Broadway. Research proves that personal growth benefits from creative expression and that artistic accomplishment provides students the self-esteem needed for success in all areas of life. However, due to budget shortfalls and misconceptions, schools find it increasingly difficult to incorporate art in education.

George Rodrigue wants to reverse this trend. As a young boy he dreamed of being an artist, and as an adult he credits the support of his parents and teachers with helping him realize that dream.

Over the years, Rodrigue has assisted numerous non-profits, not only in the arts, but also humanitarian organizations, disaster relief, animal welfare and others. But today, although not entirely abandoning other worthwhile causes, his primary focus is to expose children to education in the visual arts, hoping to inspire in others an early and on-going creative passion similar to his own.