Black Schoolhouse opens 7th Ward art, community space

What they're saying: The new Black Schoolhouse was "built to allow community to use art and design for liberation," says co-founder Shani Peters Cuillier.

• And by combining design education with community-centered spaces, she adds, "we're creating a leadership pipeline for future generations."

Catch up quick: Cuillier and her work and life partner, New Orleans native Joseph Cuillier, founded The Black School in New York in 2016.

• Initially, it was an art project aimed at organizing community efforts to solve local challenges.
• The Black School — and the Cuilliers — moved to New Orleans in 2021. Since then, it has focused on carving out the 7th Ward space while piloting a community garden, hosting cultural and professional exchanges, continuing its arts education and hosting Black Love Fest.

Zoom in: At the core of The Black School is its design apprenticeship, which is a paid workforce training program.

• "The idea is to create opportunities and pipelines for getting our young folks into creative careers where they can make a sustainable living … but also applying that to activism," Joseph Cuillier says.

• The deadline to apply for the apprenticeship's next cohort is Sept. 30.

What we're watching: Black Love Fest will transform into a twice-monthly, multigenerational community event series, the Cuilliers say.

What's next: The Black Schoolhouse hosts a grand opening Oct. 10 from noon to 5pm.

• Events include a blessing and drumming ceremony, a second-line, guided walkthroughs of the building, an exhibition and artist talks. RSVP online.