I often joke that I grew up in a house where Blue Dogs were real. My late father, artist George Rodrigue (1944-2013), was most known for his depictions of the Cajuns of south Louisiana and for creating the iconic Blue Dog series that catapulted him to international acclaim. The home I grew up in was bursting with color and creativity, and above all, the sense of possibility that those elements bring to life.

As the son of an artist, I am often asked if I too paint. The short answer is no; however, everyday I witness firsthand how transformative the arts are in our schools and our lives, especially for young people.

In 2009, my family formed the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts (GRFA) and as Executive Director I was tasked with trying to make sure the arts were kept in schools in a meaningful way. We believe that the arts are not just fluff, but that they are critical for student development in the 21st century. Dad’s art has allowed our family to impact the world in ways we never thought possible.

Blue Dog in the Classroom

Whenever he could, my father visited students in their classrooms. He led them in art making activities and shared how painting transformed his life. Today, GRFA continues that outreach in classrooms across Louisiana and the country. From Louisiana to Texas to Florida to California, our team loves sharing George Rodrigue-inspired projects. The Blue Dog is a remarkably accessible image for students and gives them a friendly entry point into storytelling, problem solving, and the creative process.

The Dream of College

For many Louisiana students, the cost of a college education is daunting. Since 2010, GRFA has awarded $319,500 in scholarships to Louisiana high school juniors and seniors through an annual Art Contest. For many of the students, receiving these scholarships makes their college dreams a reality. From Sean Hicks, our first art contest winner, we have been able to give 124 students a head start on college tuition in order to pursue careers in fields as diverse as medicine, law, business, culinary arts and visual arts.

Transforming Schools (LAA+)

More than any program that GRFA manages, Louisiana A+ Schools (LAA+) is the most ambitious and impactful. LAA+ is a network of 18 Louisiana schools that are committed to incorporating the arts into every subject in every classroom. GRFA provides three years of professional development to over 700 educators, giving them the tools and training to integrate the arts into all that they do with students. Beyond better test scores, the LAA+ method is improving behavioral issues, bringing more joy into classrooms, and impacting the lives of over 5,000 students each day. We are so thankful to be a part of the over 160 schools of the National A+ Schools Consortium originally started in North Carolina over 20 years ago and since spread to Oklahoma and Arkansas as well.

Tools for Success

As school budgets are trimmed continuously in Louisiana, it is often the arts that are left out. Consequently, teachers rarely have funds to purchase visual art supplies for their classrooms, making it even more difficult to share creativity with students. George’s Art Closet is GRFA’s attempt to bring visual arts into classrooms that might otherwise not have them by awarding $1,000 custom art kits to teachers in need. To date, we have given over $200,000 in art supplies to Louisiana schools.

Sharing the Legacy

Since my father’s passing in 2013, my family has created special retrospective exhibitions to share his artistic legacy with new generations. In the past year, GRFA provided free busses and fieldtrips to over 800 Texas students, introducing them to Rodrigue’s art for the first time. We also created and funded a special fieldtrip for one of our Louisiana A+Schools to visit the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. For many of the students we work with, these fieldtrips provide their first experience in an art museum or gallery.

Ensuring the Future

Many people not in the arts may not fully understand their importance on the development in our youth. But, after my experience with the arts in education I know that the arts can be a catalyst for school transformation and student success. I truly believe that through the arts we can solve many issues in Louisiana education and beyond. It may sound impossible but I grew up in a world where the impossible was possible. In the world I know, even dogs can be blue.