Our History

Civic Studio grew out of the Blue House, a shared workspace and collective founded in 2014 at 1700 S. Rampart in Central City, New Orleans. COVID shut down the Blue House, which provided us with an opportunity to restructure the business as a worker cooperative. In 2021, we moved across the street into Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church No. 2, located at 1626 S. Rampart. We are grateful to the Central City Renaissance Alliance, Cooperation New Orleans, Tanya James, Tamah Yisrael, and Olivia Woollam for their support in the development of Civic Studio, and to all of the past members, managers, and founders of the Blue House for creating the foundation upon which Civic Studio exists.

2020

Began organizing as a worker-owned cooperative – core group has working together since then

But the idea of Civic Studio existed even earlier, though, as part of Blue House programming and ideation – the Blue House was a shared work space that opened up in 2014 in Central City, and closed in 2020 due to COVID. Support from Tanya James and Central City Renaissance Alliance

2021

New digs, incorporation, infrastructure

Moved across the street from the former Blue House space into Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church No. 2. Incorporated as a LLC in 2021 (check this)Building infrastructure and policies, like starting to draft bylaws. Support from Cooperation New Orleans and Olivia WoollamBegan working on projects, like interviews of creative industry professionals for CANO, UNO Master PlanningOrganized our first Family Fest and Culture Jam events

2022

Figuring out the strengths of our team and diving into neighborhood history and projects

Legacy of Central City Exhibition, Program, and Activity Book
PlayBuild, YEP, Kuumba

2023

Our first big, multi-year projects and partnerships

Developing art and historical exhibits for DDI
Green infrastructure and Water Leaders cohort in New Orleans East
Lead Service Lines
Gulf South Open School

2024

Imagining the future

Opening of the Dew Drop Inn
Earth Day Celebration
Launching the Gulf South Open School
Launching monthly Community Tables
Exhibition on Imagining the Future of New Orleans and Bulbancha