Helis Foundation

About Helis Foundation

The Helis Foundation’s clearest signature is its support for the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, where three recent grants between 2023 and 2025 funded general operating expenses, the Poydras Corridor Sculpture Exhibitions and other exhibitions, and Louisiana residents’ free admission days. That combination captures how the foundation works: it backs cultural institutions with operating support while also underwriting public access and exhibition programming. Across recent grants, the foundation repeatedly funds New Orleans museums, arts organizations, and cultural presenters, often pairing core support with specific initiatives tied to exhibitions, festivals, or reduced-cost admission. Its portfolio also shows attention to the machinery that keeps cultural programming visible and usable. New Orleans Museum of Art received multiple grants for operating expenses and free admission for art and A/C as well as Louisiana residents, while the Contemporary Arts Center, Louisiana Children’s Museum, and New Orleans Ballet Association also appear among recent recipients. The pattern is local and institution-centered, with an emphasis on strengthening the capacity of regional arts organizations rather than one-off project sponsorship alone. Funding sizes range from relatively modest awards to major operating grants, but the recurring theme is sustained support for public-facing arts infrastructure in Louisiana.

What Helis Foundation Funds

In museum support, The Helis Foundation backs operating budgets and access programs together. The New Orleans Museum of Art received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for general operating expenses, free admission for art & A/C, and free admission for Louisiana residents. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art received similarly structured support tied to general operations and exhibition activity. The foundation also funds public art and exhibition-making. The Arts Council of New Orleans received $110,000 in 2025 for the Building Wall Mural - Unframed, and Arts New Orleans received $91,500 in 2024 for the Luna Fete event. These grants point to an interest in citywide cultural activation, not only indoor museum programming. Education and audience access appear as another thread. The Louisiana Children’s Museum received support for operating expenses, Free Saturdays in October, and Art of All, while the New Orleans Ballet Association’s Ovation Program provided reduced admission for students and their families.

How Helis Foundation Gives