The New Orleans Initiative encompasses Bard's two New Orleans–based academic programs:
Bard Urban Studies in New Orleans and
Bard Early College in New
Orleans. The Bard Urban Studies summer program pairs rigorous course work in urban geography and public policy with intensive internships in a range of
neighborhood-based recovery organizations. Students from colleges and universities around the world learn and apply critical and analytical skills
in community development and urban revitalization. The Bard Early College in New Orleans Program is a series of free, college credit–bearing courses in
local high schools. The program offers students at low-performing schools a high-quality liberal arts curriculum as well as tools for accessing higher education.