Building Civic Engagement & Understanding: The John Scott Center

FAIN: CHA-261894-19

Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (New Orleans, LA 70113-1027)
Miranda Restovic (Project Director: March 2018 to October 2025)

The construction of The John Scott Center, a humanities center located in the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities’ Turners’ Hall headquarters that would invite public humanities engagement based on the work of local New Orleans artist John Scott.

In developing The John Scott Center, the LEH will create a hub for integrated humanities programs for children, adults and educators. With a focus on helping audiences interpret life events and societal issues by reflecting on Scott’s work, the Center will contribute to a responsible and informed democracy. By locating the Center in LEH’s historic Turners’ Hall, the LEH is placing this unique experience where the power of both the art and the message of Scott can reach the widest audience within Louisiana. Turners’ Hall marks its 150th year in 2018. The renovations will make full use of the first floor’s 6,000+ sq. ft. that creates a multi-use space. It will be a venue that offers all the chance to explore relevant artwork and scholarship to better understand the world and that relates Scott’s work to three humanities themes: human and civil rights, human expression and human interaction. It is seating for 140, education space, virtual reality, and genius begging to be explored.