Council Terminates Deal with Bossier Arts Council Over Finances

The arts community in Bossier City gets some bad news today. The Bossier City Council has voted 6-1 to terminate its cooperative endeavor agreement with the Bossier Arts Council (BAC).

This measure does require a final vote in 2 weeks, but the handwriting is on the wall. The end is near for the Bossier Arts Council. This measure will evict the BAC from its longtime headquarters in the East Bank District. They will have until the end of the month to move out.

Financial Struggles of the Bossier Arts Council

This vote by the council follows the revelation from the State Legislative Auditor showing the BAC has been out of compliance. The Legislative Auditor says the BAC failed to submit required financial reports for three consecutive years (2022–2025).

Only Councilwoman Debra Ross voted against ending ties with the Bossier Arts Council.

The city of Bossier has been giving the BAC $130,000 in annual funding and free rent at the Old Municipal Building in the East Bank District. The city also paid for all maintenance at that building. $80,000 of that money has already been given to the BAC for this year.

READ MORE: Open Container Could be Coming to Boardwalk in Bossier

The Future of the East Bank District

Council President Chris Smith says "There's going to be art in Bossier City in the East Bank District. Whether it's the BAC or not remains to be determined." Smith also says the city has no plan to sell that building, despite what you might have heard.

What Happens Now with the Bossier Arts Council?

This measure requires the BAC to move out of the property in the East Bank District by March 30. There is no indication at this point if the BAC plans to try to keep things running somewhere else.