THE PERTUNIA FOUNDATION
The Pertunia Foundation is a non-profit organization that issues financial grants and provides programs to schools and cultural institutions in New Orleans. The Foundation’s focus is on Mardi Gras Indians, Jazz Funeral and Second Line culture. Pertunia supports New Orleans’ diverse and singular communal cultural practices that have historically have been marginalized from the arts-funding process and other channels of formal support. Identifying people and programs for whom a little does a lot, Pertunia seeks to bring sustainability and self-reliance to these "institutions." This is a new paradigm of charitable support in New Orleans.
The mission is to create partnerships and programs that will ensure that the people and institutions responsible for New Orleans cultural heritage will continue to carry the torch for generations to come.
News & Updates
New FI YI YI Record!
We have now been a 501 ( c ) (3) organization for ten years. In that time we have been busy fulfilling our mission to educate about New Orleans’ African-American parading traditions.
Our program achievements include:
Development of Course for 5th – 7th Grade Students
Documentation of the Sewing of Mardi Gras Indian Suits
Documentation of Mardi Gras Indian Drumming and Chants
Other Organizations You Should Support
The Backstreet Cultural Museum
If you want to receive a Second Line Route Sheet each week contact www.backstreetmuseum.org and become a member.
Remember Sylvester Francis Sr. and the Backstreet Cultural Museum are the most important resources in the community for the story of Mardi Gras Indians, Second Line Parades, Skull & Bone Gangs and Baby Dolls. The next time you are in the Treme, pay them a visit at 1116 Henriette DeLille Street.
Funding
The continuation of our work is dependent on receiving funding from various sources.
The development and presentation of our Parading Tradition Enrichment course was funded by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the Lagniappe Academies and by individual donors.
The documention of Mardi Gras Indian suit making and the music of Fi Yi Yi and the Mandingo Warriors was funded by individual donations. If you wish to donate to our work please follow this link
The Pertunia Foundation is supported by funding from New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and by contributions from private donors.