New Orleans Museum of Art

The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) is one of the city's oldest institutions, dedicated to preserving, exhibiting, and enriching its collections and the acclaimed sculpture garden. The establishment unites, inspires, and draws audiences together under one roof with the most significant artworks from various cultures.

Housing nearly 40,000 items, NOMA's collection continues to grow and is renowned for its outstanding representatives of French and American art, as well as photography.

Features of the museum and exhibition

The New Orleans Museum of Art continues to exhibit artworks ranging from ancient times to the present day. Paintings, drawings, engravings, and decorative arts explore the evolution of Western civilization from the pre-Christian era to the present day. The sculpture garden is one of the most significant installations in the United States, featuring 60 sculptures set in a picturesque landscape with pathways, ancient majestic trees, and plants. Among the treasures of NOMA is a group of works by the impressionist Edgar Degas. The collection of works by masters of the Paris School includes paintings and sculptures by Picasso, Braque, Dufy, Miró, and others.

The New Orleans Museum of Art has developed a unique Arts of the Americas collection that explores the cultural heritage of North, Central, and South America from the pre-Columbian period to the Spanish colonial era. It is rich in artifacts from the Maya culture, as well as paintings and sculptures from Cusco, the mythical Spanish capital of Peru.

An important part of the American art exhibition is a collection of antique halls furnished with 18th and 19th-century furniture and decorative arts.

History of the New Orleans Museum of Art

The museum was originally funded by donations from local philanthropist and collector Isaac Delgado. The building itself was designed by the city's chief engineer, Benjamin Harrod. When Isaac turned 71, he requested the City Park Board to build a museum in New Orleans. In his petition, Delgado stated that he wanted to give the residents of New Orleans a building where works of art could be gathered under one roof. The request was approved, and on December 11, 1911, the Isaac Delgado Art Museum opened its doors. However, Isaac himself was not present at the opening due to health problems; he passed away later.

Although City Park was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, much of the museum's permanent collection was preserved, as the building is situated on high ground. Today, the art museum is among the finest, presenting a multitude of unique and rare exhibits.

Events at the museum

• The museum collaborates with the Historic New Orleans Collection and the Louisiana State Museum to jointly develop special exhibitions. Previously, for example, they have brought in treasures from the tombs of Egyptian emperors, relics of Alexander the Great, and paintings by Edgar Degas.
• NOMA also actively participates in cultural events and educational programs. Each year, the museum hosts a series of lectures, workshops, and curator-led tours dedicated to various aspects of art and culture. These events attract both local residents and tourists eager to deepen their knowledge of art and history.
• The New Orleans Museum of Art regularly organizes thematic nights and special events, such as live music evenings, open-air film screenings, and gastronomic festivals that combine art with local cuisine.
• For younger audiences, the New Orleans Museum of Art offers educational programs and interactive workshops aimed at developing creative skills and a deep understanding of art. These programs include classes in drawing, sculpture, photography, and digital art.

All these activities and programs make the museum not just a place for storing art, but a living center of cultural life in New Orleans, actively interacting with its residents and guests.