In City Park, the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) brings together more than 40,000 works spanning centuries and cultures. Its collection ranges from French and American paintings to African and Japanese art, photography, glass and ceramics, with works by artists including Monet and Degas. The Beaux Arts building is worth a look, but leave time for the adjoining Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, where more than 90 works sit among trees and landscaped paths. A café and gift shop are on site.
A museum founded in 1911
The New Orleans Museum of Art opened in 1911 as the Isaac Delgado Museum of Art. It began with nine works, funded by local art collector and philanthropist Isaac Delgado. The institution later took its current name and grew into a collection of more than 40,000 objects.
Set within City Park, the museum is New Orleans’ oldest fine arts institution. Its Beaux Arts building has a neoclassical appearance, with tall columns, marble floors and a grand staircase. The original structure has since been expanded with modern wings.
A collection across cultures and periods
The galleries cover art from many places and eras. The collection includes French and American works, African and Japanese art, photography, glass, ceramics and pre-Columbian pieces. Visitors can also encounter works by Monet and Degas, alongside art by contemporary Louisiana artists.
Displays include both long-term collections and changing exhibitions. Some works are accompanied by information about their period, history and symbolism, which can help put unfamiliar objects in context. Exhibitions have also included portrait miniatures and displays from different regions and cultural traditions.
The Besthoff Sculpture Garden
Beside the museum, the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden places more than 90 sculptures along landscaped paths. The outdoor collection includes works by artists such as Rodin and Henry Moore. Mature oak trees, water and seating give the garden a quieter pace than the galleries.
You can visit the garden as part of a museum outing or make it the focus of a shorter stop. It is free to enter, and paths and benches make space to pause among the sculptures. The garden is close to the museum, so it is easy to combine the two.
Planning your visit
NOMA is at 1 Collins Diboll Circle in City Park. The museum is closed on Mondays and opens later on Wednesdays than on other open days. Check the museum’s website for current admission details and exhibition information before setting out.
Louisiana residents can visit for free on Wednesdays. Weekdays are a useful choice if you prefer to explore with fewer people around. If you have time, allow two to three hours for the galleries and outdoor garden. The museum also has a café and gift shop; Roberge cake is a specialty to look for at the café.
Häufige Fragen
Where is the New Orleans Museum of Art?
NOMA is at 1 Collins Diboll Circle in City Park, New Orleans.
Do Louisiana residents get free admission?
Louisiana residents can visit the museum for free on Wednesdays.
How long should you spend at NOMA?
Allow about 2 to 3 hours for the galleries and the adjoining sculpture garden.
Is the Besthoff Sculpture Garden free?
Yes. The adjoining Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is free to visit.
