The Xavier University Art Collection and Gallery recently celebrated a significant milestone as it secured a prestigious 2024 Emergency Mitigation and Disaster Preparedness Grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH). As the university prepares to celebrate its first century of service in 2025, the grant represents a pivotal step in fortifying Xavier’s ability to safeguard its invaluable collection against potential threats such as natural disasters. 

“I am delighted to have received this grant from the LEH,” stated Daniele Gair, the manager and registrar of the Xavier University of Louisiana Art Collection. “It will help us ensure that the collection is healthy and available, both to Xavier and the wider community, for years to come.” 

The grant is poised to empower the university in several critical areas. Firstly, it will facilitate comprehensive inventorying and appraisal of the collection, laying a solid foundation for future management and preservation efforts. Funds will also be allocated towards forming a robust collections management policy and an emergency preparedness plan, ensuring the institution is well-equipped to mitigate future emergencies. Furthermore, the grant will enable the collection staff to facilitate collection care sessions with the Xavier community, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and knowledge stewardship for the campus. This collaborative approach underscores the university’s commitment to ensuring the longevity and accessibility of its treasures. 

The Xavier University Collection serves as a testament to the rich history and cultural heritage of the nation’s only historically Black and Catholic university, the city of New Orleans, the Gulf South, and beyond. Comprising of works by many esteemed alumni, including Frank Hayden (‘57), Louise Mouton Johnson (’76), Martin Payton (’73), Steve Prince (’93), and John T. Scott (’62), as well as other luminary artists like Richmond Barthé, Aaron Douglass, Sam Gilliam, Inge Hardison and more, the collection embodies a legacy of artistic excellence and visionary leadership. 

The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities is also home to the Helis Foundation John Scott Center, which houses a selection of works from the Xavier University Collection. These works, including pieces such as “Middle Passage,” “Reliquaries #3,” and “Snake Charmer’s Wisp,” offer profound insights into the artistic vision and cultural significance of the late Xavier alumnus and president emeritus John T. Scott, enriching the dialogue surrounding heritage and symbolism. 

At its core, the Xavier University Art Collection and Gallery is dedicated to promoting the knowledge and understanding of a diverse global contemporary culture. Through exhibitions, public programs, and scholarship through the study, preservation, and promotion of art, the Xavier Collection and Gallery harnesses the transformative power of art to foster social change and advance the university’s mission of promoting a more just and human society while ensuring the pieces it holds can be enjoyed for generations to come.