New Orleans Art Museum

The New Orleans Museum of Art (or NOMA) is the city of New Orleans's oldest fine arts museum. It's in City Park, near the intersection of Carrollton Avenue and Esplanade Avenue, and near the end of the "Canal Street - City Park" streetcar line. The Delgado Museum of Art was founded in 1911.

Museum

NOMA's interior

The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) was founded with a charitable grant from Isaac Delgado, a local philanthropist and art collector. The museum structure was designed in part by Benjamin Morgan Harrod, the former chief engineer of New Orleans. Isaac Delgado, a wealthy sugar broker, wrote to the City Park Board at the age of 71, expressing his desire to build a museum in New Orleans. "I have been led to believe that you would gladly donate the site of a building I propose erecting in the park to be known as the 'Isaac Delgado Museum of Art.' 'My desire is to give the citizens of New Orleans a fireproof building where works of art can be collected through gifts or loans and where the Art Association of New Orleans can hold exhibits from time to time." The board granted his request, and the circle at the end of what would become Lelong Avenue was designated for the museum. The Isaac Delgado Museum of Art first opened its doors on December 11, 1911. Due to medical issues, Isaac Delgado did not attend the opening; he died soon after on January 4, 1912. This legacy continues to live on in City Park today and in the future. The Edward Wisner Foundation funded the Wisner Education Wing, a three-story addition to NOMA's left side, in 1970-1971. NOMA's expansion and renovation project, worth $23 million, began in 1993. The magnitude of the expansion and renovation, combined with increased art acquisitions, elevated NOMA to the top 25% of the country's largest and most important fine art museums. Today, the art museum is regarded as one of the best in the country, having presented numerous unique and rare exhibits. The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, an 11.5-acre (47,000 m2) landscaped area behind the main building, is part of NOMA. Over 90 modern and contemporary sculptures are set among live oaks, pines, magnolias, camellias, lagoons, and several bridges in the gated garden. The NOMA Museum Shop, an auditorium for film screenings, artist talks, panels, and presentations, and Café NOMA, a restaurant by Ralph Brennan, are also part of the museum. Despite the fact that City Park was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina, the museum is elevated and situated on relatively high ground. As a result, the flooding was limited to the basement, and the majority of the museum's permanent collection was spared.

PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION

Parking on Lelong Drive and the streets surrounding NOMA within City Park is always free. Handicap parking is available at the front of the museum, next to an entrance ramp. NOMA is also close to a number of attractions in City Park. The handicap entrances are located on the museum's left and right sides, near Café NOMA.as well as the NOMA Museum Shop Ramps leading from the main museum entrance stairs to a courtyard When you press the buzzer on the door, security will let you in. If you require further assistance, please call 504.658.4105.The Canal-City Park streetcar line ends at the intersection of Wisner Avenue and Esplanade Street, close to NOMA and the Best-off Sculpture Garden. The RTA bus routes #27-Louisiana, #60-Hayne, #90 Carrollton, and #91 Jackson-Esplanade all stop near the museum. For route maps and schedules, go to the RTA website.

HOURS AND ADMISSION TO THE MUSEUM

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

$15 for adults

$10 | Active Military with ID

Senior Citizens | $10

Students with valid ID | $8

NOMA members can attend for free.

The Heli's Foundation is providing free admission for youth ages 13 to 19.

Children aged 12 and under are admitted free of charge.

Taylor Scholars and two guests are admitted free of charge.

The Heli's Foundation provides FREE general admission to the museum on Wednesdays for Louisiana residents. The museum offers free general admission to Library Culture Pass holders.