NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM OF ART
The citys oldest fine arts institution, and a historic landmark, the New Orleans Museum of Art, or NOMA, is one of the most important centers of fine arts in the Gulf South. This popular art repository displays works from the Renaissance to the modern era and is the centerpiece of New Orleans elegant City Park. Its permanent collections and rotating exhibits rival the best museums in the country. NOMA is also a cultural center, hosting high-profile lectures, educational programs, films, and festivals.
NEED TO KNOW
1 Collins Diboll Circle, New Orleans City Park
504 488 2631 www.noma.org
Open 10am6pm TueThu (to 9pm Fri), 11am5pm Sat & Sun Adm $12 ($10 for seniors and students, $8 for children)
Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden 10am6pm MonFri (to 5pm Sat & Sun)
- Take the Canal streetcar to City Parks main entrance, and walk down the grand promenade to NOMA.
- Just outside NOMA, Morning Call Caf serves caf au lait (French coffee) and beignets (pastries with powdered sugar).
Arts Quarterly
Four times a year, NOMA publishes and distributes this acclaimed full-color magazine. The publication provides updates on new acquisitions and upcoming exhibitions, and informs readers about new trends and historically significant works of art.
Friday Nights at NOMA
Every Friday at 5pm, NOMA hosts different kinds of special events. These include visiting exhibitions, lectures, film screenings, hands-on art workshops, family-friendly activities, and live performances.
Friday Nights at NOMA
NOMA Photography Collection
The museum boasts over 14,000 images featuring some of the greatest achievements within the medium. The great photography displayed here includes works by Diane Arbus, Ansel Adams, Man Ray, and Clarence John Laughlin.
Museum Shop
No trip to NOMA is complete without a visit to the Museum Shop. It stocks products such as glass art, prints, books, and jewelry, among other things. It also features a local artist every month.
Facade of NOMA
The Annual Odyssey Ball
The premier event on the citys social calendar, the Annual Odyssey Ball takes place in November. On this day, the museum is beautifully decorated and features auctions, an orchestra, and dancing.
Modern Art
This display covers the major movements in 20th-century European and American art. The pieces by Andy Warhol are highlights. There are contemporary works too.
Caf NOMA
The museum caf is a sleek, atmospheric venue with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views over City Park. It was opened by New Orleans restaurant legend Ralph Brennan. The menu features a range of dishes prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients supplied by local farmers.
Caf NOMA
Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden
Google Map
This beautifully landscaped garden features an outdoor collection of more than 60 sculptures, most of which were donated by the Besthoff Foundation. Among the works featured here are sculptures by Henry Moore, George Segal, and Barbara Hepworth.
Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden
Special Exhibitions
In the past, NOMA showcased traveling exhibitions ranging from multimedia works by local and international artists to the Treasures of Ancient Egypt.
Wellness Classes in the Sculpture Garden
The Sculpture Garden is a great setting for the yoga classes that take place here every Saturday.
European Art
French, Italian, Dutch, Flemish, and Impressionist works are showcased in the European Art section. The highlight is a wealth of Italian paintings from the Renaissance to the 18th century. The French collection includes a series of landscape paintings.