Meet Bertrand Butler, Director of the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Council. Mr. Butler first came to the Arts Council in 2005 for help with a trademark issue through our free legal program – the ELLA project. Mr. Butler then began working with Arts Business Program Director, Gene Meneray, to broaden their fundraising and better promote their activities.

After attending several Arts Council workshops, as well as working intensively with staff to develop a new strategy, in 2007, the Mardi Gras Indian Council attracted over $10,000 in new grant funds, and solidified their intellectual property rights. This is just one example of the hundreds of ways the Arts Council helps artists and arts groups every day.