What We Fund
The Helis Foundation is a Louisiana private foundation, established and funded by the William Helis Family.
The Art Funds of The Helis Foundation advance access to the arts for the community through contributions that sustain operations for, provide free admission to, and underwrite major exhibitions and special projects of institutions within the Greater New Orleans area.
Some current initiatives and projects
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Fog Sculpture
Fujiko Nakaya's sculpture floats across the footbridge outside Louisiana Children’s Museum.
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The Helis Foundation Enrique Alférez Sculpture Garden
Located in the New Orleans Botanical Garden in City Park, this garden is 8,000 sq. ft. and features 15 sculptures set within sweeping footpaths surrounded by greenery and oak trees.
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Louisiana Contemporary
An annual, statewide, juried exhibition that promotes contemporary art practices in the state of Louisiana.
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Newcomb Art Museum School Tours
The Helis Foundation is helping to offer free tours with educational activities, transportation, and lunches to school classes in Orleans and Jefferson Parish.
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Free Screenings at the New Orleans Film Festival
The Helis Foundation supported an array of free screenings and events throughout the New Orleans Film Festival to engage new attendees at the Festival.
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Young Audiences of Louisiana Baby Artsplay!™
Young Audiences of Louisiana (YALA) in partnership with The Helis Foundation expanded their successful early learning program, Baby Artsplay!™, to cultural institutions across the city of New Orleans.
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Digital Systems Lead at NOJHF
The Helis Foundation Digital Systems Lead position implements and manages The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation collection of over one million digital files.
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New Orleans Ballet Association Ovation Program
The Ovation program eliminates barriers for participants to attend performances by world-renowned dance companies on NOBA’s Main Stage Series.
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The NOCCA Institute Artist-In-Residence Program
Lead program support by The Helis Foundation helps faculty bring in 75 – 100 master artists annually.
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Prospect New Orleans Triennial Exhibitions
Every three years, Prospect invites artists from all over the world to create projects in a wide variety of venues spread throughout New Orleans.
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"Good News I" Sculpture by Fritz Bultman
Art critic Sanford Friedman suggested that this sculpture depicts some type of rite of passage, perhaps even inviting the viewer to become an inadvertent participant in a ritual.
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"The Wave of the World" Sculpture
Following the 1984 New Orleans World’s Fair, a fountain sculpture created by world-renowned avant-garde artist Lynda Benglis sat hidden for decades in a former sewage treatment plant in City of Kenner outside of New Orleans.
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The Jazz & Heritage Art Collection
With the support of The Helis Foundation, The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation purchased and commissioned over 60 works of art that reflect the rich musical and cultural heritage of Louisiana. All works are by Louisiana artists.
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WWNO Arts & Culture Coverage
With support from The Helis Foundation, New Orleans Public Radio began a further enhancement of its cultural reporting and programs, taking its microphones across the region to cover a broader range of arts and cultural activity.
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Partnership with The Historic New Orleans Collection
The portfolio of works acquired by The Helis Foundation on behalf of The Collection provides New Orleans residents and visitors with an unparalleled glimpse into New Orleans’ collective history.
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The Helis Foundation Collection
The collection is comprised of artwork owned by the Foundation and displayed in public locations like Poydras Street, the Ogden Museum, and the New Orleans Botanical Garden.
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The General Fund of the Helis Foundation
The general fund focuses on community needs primarily within the Metropolitan New Orleans area by granting funds to numerous local nonprofit organizations.