In January, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the New Orleans Jazz Museum announced a $5 million capital matching grant through the Herb Alpert Foundation. The grant enables the Louisiana State Museum to complete the Herb Alpert Foundation Education Wing, further modernize its state-of-the-art performance center, renovate the museum entrance and lobby, and enhance the landscaping on the Esplanade Ave. side of the building. On Tuesday, Ryan Gootee General Contractors, LLC posted an update on the progress of the project inside the Old U.S. Mint building (400 Esplanade Ave.). RGGC, alongside Trapolin-Peer Architects, APC, are updating the performance center and control room. These updates include a custom voice-over booth, refinished wood floors, restored stages, and updated recording technology. RGGC has updates and photos available on its website. RGGC’s renovation, which covers approximately 3,120 square feet, will transform the existing performance center and control room while preserving the historical significance of the building. RGGC has navigated construction while the museum is still in operation. Formerly a performance center and control room, the space will now feature a custom Voice Over (VO) booth, replacing the existing ISO Booth, significantly improving audio production capabilities. The performance center will feature refinished wood floors, restored stages, and the addition of a new traveler curtain, projector, and screen, enhancing the overall functionality of the venue. In addition to upgrading the audio equipment, the updates allow engineers to master and restore, in-house, many musical media already in the collection. Additionally, the grounds on the Esplanade Ave. side of the Museum will receive enhancements through a partnership with the LSU Agricultural Center and Louisiana Master Gardeners, according to a press release by the Louisiana Office of the Lieutenant Governor’s Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism. As part of the Herb Alpert Foundation Education Wing, the Ruth U. Fertel Jazz Lab, the Education Lab, and the Digital Audio Workstation Lab facilities will each undergo transformations. The top-notch educational wing and recording studio will be home to the museum’s ongoing recording technologies, music business, and apprentice programs. “The Herb Alpert Foundation has been a strong supporter of the New Orleans Jazz Museum for a number of years,” said New Orleans Jazz Museum Director Greg Lambousy. “From early planning to presenting sponsorships for the annual Improvisations Gala and many educational initiatives, Herb Alpert has been a leader and advocate for nurturing creativity and highlighting its importance in the current artistic and cultural landscape.” The New Orleans Jazz Museum celebrates the city’s jazz and history through interactive exhibits, multigenerational educational programming, research facilities, and engaging musical performances. The museum provides educational outreach with high school and university students, educators, and visitors through interactive exhibits, online programming, professional classes and instrument lessons, student performances, and teacher training.