NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana Children’s Museum hosted museum supporters and community leaders to celebrate the recipient of the inaugural Julia Webb Bland Award for Meaningful Contributions to the Enrichment of Children. The award will be presented annually to an individual, family or corporation who exemplifies Bland’s visionary leadership and lifelong commitment to the enrichment of children.
The award is named in honor of long-time museum CEO Julia Bland. Bland has dedicated her life’s work to the museum and its contribution to the region’s future prosperity by engaging children’s potential and making that potential visible. Earlier in the evening board members announced the dedication of the museum’s welcome porch to Bland naming it “Julia’s Porch” featuring children’s artwork, a signature feature throughout the new museum.
Best-selling authors and native sons Michael Lewis and Walter Isaacson presented the award.
“The Louisiana Children’s Museum was very privileged to welcome New Orleans natives Walter Isaacson and Michael Lewis in a night of celebration and conversation this past Thursday. Their perspectives of our city’s distinctive assets, especially those developed over the past 14 years, was invigorating – especially as we work towards more positive outcomes on behalf of all our children,” said Bland.
The 2019 Julia Webb Bland award was presented to Allison Stouse. Stouse, the lead project manager on the LCM in City Park project, was critical in bringing the vision of LCM to City Park as well as an integral part of the success of the museum building and its new home on 8.5 acres of scenic parkland.
“Allison’s unwavering support for LCM in City Park and her effective oversight of the construction of our new museum has been a truly remarkable undertaking. Her focus, dedication and commitment to bringing a new museum to the children and families of New Orleans as well as her passion for the mission of this organization makes her a worthy recipient of this inaugural award,” said LCM Board President Scott Zander.
Zander, who lead the development of the award presented Stouse with a limited-edition print of an Alex Beard original painting, “Pelican Pillars.” The original painting, generously donated by Beard, will hang in the lobby of the museum alongside a plaque of all award recipients. The artwork depicts five of Beard’s famous pelicans, symbolizing the five strategic initiatives that drive the museum and its mission – Arts and Culture, Early Literacy, Sustainability, Children’s Health and Wellness and STEM Education.
