The New Orleans Photo Alliance serves as a cultural stimulus in New Orleans and the Gulf South region through the cultivating visual literacy and the appreciation of photography. Through community engagement, NOPA produces lens-based exhibitions, educational programs, the annual PhotoNOLA Festival has distributed over $100k in grant funds to artists. NOPA fosters economic and artistic growth while preserving the rich and diverse photographic culture of New Orleans and the Southern region. The New Orleans Photo Alliance was founded by a diverse group of photographers who joined forces in 2006 to create opportunities and unite photographers in the Gulf South. It is an artist-driven 501(c)3 nonprofit which currently includes more than 300 members from across Louisiana and throughout the United States.