Bossier Arts Council faces eviction from historic home, Community starts petition
BOSSIER CITY, La. (SBC HeART Share) - While in the midst of a hunt for a new executive director, Bossier Ars Council's staff received devastating news.
On Feb. 12, the Bossier Arts Council (BAC) staff of only three employees received news that their nonprofit may face eviction following information they were not privy to.
The City Council of Bossier City has proposed an Ordinance to terminate its cooperative agreement with the BAC and evict the nonprofit from its home, the old municipal building, located at 630 Barksdale Boulevard.
"This comes during a time in which our current limited staff have been working hard to keep the organization functioning while we search for an Executive Director," says BAC's Facebook page.
The city council filed this ordinance after the BAC was deemed noncompliant with its financial reporting requirements for the third year in a row by the LA Legislative Auditor. Unfortunately for the Bossier Arts Council's current staff, they were left unaware of the issue, but since learning of it, they have been in the process of fixing the help of a new accountant and board leadership.
"We understand the concerns of the City, but truly feel we can come to an agreement that leaves us here, in the Heart of Bossier City, making an artistic impact on our Community," says BAC in its Facebook announcement.
Many of the art community and its supporters, from both sides of the river, have come out to speak up against the removal of the BAC. The BAC has been a home for many artists for 45 years, including this author, who has worked alongside the BAC since 2015.
The organization does much within the community with its limited funding, from hosting community markets and events like SBC Zombie Walk and many more, to providing space for artists to meet and show their work, and space for theatre creativity to blossom on stage.
For three years now, the City Council and, especially, Mayor Tommy Chandler seem to have it out for the art council. Upon entering office, Mayor Chandler tried to have management and funding of the East Bank Plaza stripped from the BAC, the organization that boosted and prompted the development in the area in the first place.
Following the community's standing for BAC, the BAC faced extra scrutiny, even down to needing to count every person they get through the door to prove their attendance, but were allowed to keep funding and management of the East Bank Plaza.
Then late in 2025, new discussions were being had regarding possibly limiting all of the nonprofits in Bossier City to only $20,000 at one point, which would have severely crippled BAC and other nonprofits. Luckily, so far, those ordinances haven't seen the light of day.
The City of Bossier has consistently attempted to dismantle or ruin its own art council that has consistently served it for 45 years. The cultural district faces endangerment if the Bossier Arts Council is removed.
Additionally, several events would no longer be provided to the community and multiple programs.
"We’ve done so much with the Bossier Arts Council - BAC at this building. We would hate to lose it," says the Mr. Grilled Cheese food truck.
Artists of the SBC have spoken up and spread the word, BAC has always had their back; now they want to stand up for them.
"I think it’s hard for people to understand that financially, they don’t have much backing. They do what they can in every way possible. The community has to donate and even help them gather the sponsors to afford lawyers and any other needs possible. The board has been making change in my opinion, from the scope of what I see they have been involved as well. This isn’t me speaking from BAC itself, this is me speaking solely on what I’ve gathered with working with them over the years," says artist Jaquan Davis.
Well-known artist and activist, Chang Liu, has made a petition to give BAC six months to fix their financials with their new accountant. The BAC deserves that much for how much its done for Bossier City for decades.
The Bossier City Council will be reviewing the ordinance on Feb. 17th at 3 p.m.
If you have ever been impacted by the BAC, we ask that you come and support BAC.
To sign the petition, visit its page HERE.
"Let them know that the BAC is for the community and that we can do our best work where we have been for the last 45 years. We need your help. We hope to see you there," says BAC.
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