Tai Chi in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden

Explore movement and meditation during outdoor tai chi classes in NOMA’s Besthoff Sculpture Garden every Monday evening.  Class is $10 $5 for NOMA members. Registration remains open until 3 pm the day before class. Please bring a digital or printed version of your ticke......More

Explore movement and meditation during outdoor tai chi classes in NOMA’s Besthoff Sculpture Garden every Monday evening.  Class is $10 $5 for NOMA members. Registration remains open until 3 pm the day before class. Please bring a digital or printed version of your ticket to class. Enter at the main entrance gate to the Besthoff Sculpture Garden on Dueling Oaks Drive. REGISTER NOW These classes are outside and will be canceled for severe weather. Registrants will be notified of cancellation via email by 5 pm the day before class. Call 504.658.4128 or email [email protected] with any questions.

Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, New Orleans , LA, 70124

Gallery Talk with Curator Brian Piper

Every week, NOMA hosts gallery talks in the museum and the Besthoff Sculpture Garden led by curators, artists, and other special guests. These lively, participatory conversations provide a moment to take a close look at one work—or a selection of works—currently on view......More

Every week, NOMA hosts gallery talks in the museum and the Besthoff Sculpture Garden led by curators, artists, and other special guests. These lively, participatory conversations provide a moment to take a close look at one work—or a selection of works—currently on view. This week, join Brian Piper, Freeman Family Curator of Photographs, Prints, and Drawings, for a gallery talk on the exhibition Delicate Sights: Photography and Glass. This talk will be offered at 12:30 and 6:00 pm. Included with museum admission, which is free for Louisiana residents every Wednesday courtesy of The Helis Foundation’s Art for All initiative. When you arrive at NOMA, check in at the admissions desk for directions to the appropriate location.

New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, New Orleans, LA, 70119

Public Tours Every Wednesday and Saturday

NOMA provides guided tours of the galleries with museum docents and staff every Wednesday and Saturday. During these tours, you’ll explore the museum’s permanent collection of nearly 50,000 works of art and exhibitions currently on view. Included with museum admission, ......More

NOMA provides guided tours of the galleries with museum docents and staff every Wednesday and Saturday. During these tours, you’ll explore the museum’s permanent collection of nearly 50,000 works of art and exhibitions currently on view. Included with museum admission, which is free for Louisiana residents every Wednesday courtesy of The Helis Foundation’s Art for All initiative. When you arrive at NOMA, check in at the admissions desk for directions to the appropriate location.

New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, New Orleans, LA, 70119

The Role of Warrior Women in the Republic of Benin, Haiti, and New Orleans with Creative Assembly Artist Caleb Dowden and Her Royal Majesty Queen Mother Dr. Dowti Desir

This is a multi-part program organized by Creative Assembly resident artist Caleb Dowden beginning with a lecture by Her Royal Majesty Queen Mother Dr. Dowti Desir, who will discuss the intersections of spirituality and cultural traditions in Haiti, the Benin Republic, ......More

This is a multi-part program organized by Creative Assembly resident artist Caleb Dowden beginning with a lecture by Her Royal Majesty Queen Mother Dr. Dowti Desir, who will discuss the intersections of spirituality and cultural traditions in Haiti, the Benin Republic, and New Orleans. Guests will engage in a light body movement rooted in the warrior dance practice of the Agoojee, an all-female army of the Dahomey Kingdom, formerly the Benin Republic, which symbolizes strength and resilience. Closing with a conversation with Her Royal Majesty Queen Mother Dr. Dowti Desir, moderated by Creative Assembly artist Caleb Dowden. Discussion of the vital roles women of African descent have carried in the spiritual and cultural traditions of New Orleans, reinforcing the interconnectedness of these rich histories and highlighting the ongoing influence of the leadership of women in contemporary society. This event is part of the series “Nana Benz: Reimagining the Black Feminist Future,” which seeks to deepen the understanding of Black women’s contributions and the cultural legacies they continue to uphold. Included with museum admission, which is free for Louisiana residents every Wednesday courtesy of The Helis Foundation’s Art for All initiative. About Creative Assembly Artist Caleb DowdenCaleb Dowden is a choreographer and researcher from New Orleans, Louisiana. In 2021, she graduated from the State University of New York at Purchase with her BFA in dance. As a 2021 recipient of a Fulbright Independent research award from the U.S. Department of State and a Fulbright Hay’s fellowship with SUNY Purchase , Caleb’s choreographic work and research has been supported locally and internationally by the French Alliance of New Orleans, Le Centre ( Benin Republic), Borna Soglo gallery ( Benin Republic), University of New Orleans, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, International Dance Festival of New Orleans, The New Ohio Theatre , and the Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography at Florida State University. As the Director of Dow-Dance Company, Caleb Dowden produces choreographic work at the intersection of African history and culture with a unique vision of (re)connecting the African Diaspora with the African continent. About Her Royal Majesty Queen Mother Dr. Dòwòti DésirHer Royal Majesty Queen Mother Dr. Dòwòti Désir, Sêmévo 1st of the Royal Palace of the African Diaspora, has been a prominent figure since her enthronement in 2022 as Queen Mother of the African Diaspora in the Benin Republic. Born in Haiti, she is the first Haitian to hold this title on the African continent and is recognized for her dedication to African spirituality, repatriation, and dual citizenship for members of the African Diaspora. An accomplished scholar with degrees from Barnard College, Bard College, and The New Seminary, her work includes founding the Imperial Corps Agoodjié, advocating for children’s rights, and engaging in various international initiatives. Dr. Désir has participated in notable events such as the Festival of the Diaspora in Colombia and has collaborated with organizations to foster connections between Africa and its Diaspora. As an educator at Dutchess Community College, she empowers youth through the Imperial Corps Agoodjié and its Youth Warriors program. Her commitment to reconnecting the African Diaspora with their ancestral roots and addressing critical issues has made her a recognized thought leader on a global scale.

NOMA’s Lapis Center for the Arts

Yoga in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden Every Saturday

Take in the beauty of NOMA’s Besthoff Sculpture Garden during outdoor yoga sessions every Saturday morning.  Class is $10 $5 for NOMA members. Registration remains open until 3 pm the day before class. Please bring a digital or printed version of your ticket to class. E......More

Take in the beauty of NOMA’s Besthoff Sculpture Garden during outdoor yoga sessions every Saturday morning.  Class is $10 $5 for NOMA members. Registration remains open until 3 pm the day before class. Please bring a digital or printed version of your ticket to class. Enter at the main entrance gate to the Besthoff Sculpture Garden on Dueling Oaks Drive. Please bring your own mat. REGISTER NOW These classes are outside and will be canceled for severe weather. Registrants will be notified of cancellation via email by 5 pm the day before class. Call 504.658.4128 or email [email protected] with any questions.  

Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, New Orleans , LA, 70124

Public Tours Every Wednesday and Saturday

NOMA provides guided tours of the galleries with museum docents and staff every Wednesday and Saturday. During these tours, you’ll explore the museum’s permanent collection of nearly 50,000 works of art and exhibitions currently on view. Included with museum admission, ......More

NOMA provides guided tours of the galleries with museum docents and staff every Wednesday and Saturday. During these tours, you’ll explore the museum’s permanent collection of nearly 50,000 works of art and exhibitions currently on view. Included with museum admission, which is free for Louisiana residents every Wednesday courtesy of The Helis Foundation’s Art for All initiative. When you arrive at NOMA, check in at the admissions desk for directions to the appropriate location.

New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, New Orleans, LA, 70119

Public Tours in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden Every Sunday

NOMA provides guided tours of the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden every Sunday. During these tours, you’ll learn about a selection of the 100 large-scale works installed in the garden. No registration is required. NOMA’s Besthoff Sculpture Garden is free and ......More

NOMA provides guided tours of the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden every Sunday. During these tours, you’ll learn about a selection of the 100 large-scale works installed in the garden. No registration is required. NOMA’s Besthoff Sculpture Garden is free and open to all, seven days a week. Tours start at the main entrance gate to the Besthoff Sculpture Garden on Dueling Oaks Drive.

Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, New Orleans , LA, 70124

Tai Chi in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden

Explore movement and meditation during outdoor tai chi classes in NOMA’s Besthoff Sculpture Garden every Monday evening.  Class is $10 $5 for NOMA members. Registration remains open until 3 pm the day before class. Please bring a digital or printed version of your ticke......More

Explore movement and meditation during outdoor tai chi classes in NOMA’s Besthoff Sculpture Garden every Monday evening.  Class is $10 $5 for NOMA members. Registration remains open until 3 pm the day before class. Please bring a digital or printed version of your ticket to class. Enter at the main entrance gate to the Besthoff Sculpture Garden on Dueling Oaks Drive. REGISTER NOW These classes are outside and will be canceled for severe weather. Registrants will be notified of cancellation via email by 5 pm the day before class. Call 504.658.4128 or email [email protected] with any questions.

Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, New Orleans , LA, 70124

Virtual Seminar: Beyond the “Mask” with the Arts Council of the African Studies Association

Join us on Wednesday, May 14, at 12 pm for a thought-provoking webinar discussion—“Beyond the ‘Mask’: Towards a New Paradigm of Collecting and Displaying African Art in US Museums”—that examines how museums can reshape their approaches to collecting and displaying Afric......More

Join us on Wednesday, May 14, at 12 pm for a thought-provoking webinar discussion—“Beyond the ‘Mask’: Towards a New Paradigm of Collecting and Displaying African Art in US Museums”—that examines how museums can reshape their approaches to collecting and displaying African art through ethical transparency, inclusive narratives, and critical practices. Inspired by the New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations exhibition (April 4–August 10, 2025) at the New Orleans Museum of Art, this panel explores case studies that honor artist agency, cultural authenticity, and global accountability by centering the voices of African artists and their communities. Beyond celebration, this dialogue challenges us to rethink, reimagine, and drive actionable change toward a more just and accountable future for African art curation. This virtual event, presented in partnership between the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Arts Council of the African Studies Association, is free with registration. Registration via the link below is required to receive webinar credentials before the event. Registration closes one hour before the event. Register Here About the ExhibitionNew African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations spotlights the work of four contemporary artists working in cities across West Africa: Chief Ekpenyong Bassey Nsa, Sheku “Goldenfinger” Fofanah, David Sanou, and Hervé Youmbi. The first presentation of its kind, New African Masquerades offers a rare look into contemporary West African masquerade by contextualizing the works of individual artists within a range of social, economic, and religious practices and examining their networks of viewership and exchange. Learn More

Gallery Talk: New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations

Every week, NOMA hosts gallery talks in the museum and the Besthoff Sculpture Garden led by curators, artists, and other special guests. These lively, participatory conversations provide a moment to take a close look at one work—or a selection of works—currently on view......More

Every week, NOMA hosts gallery talks in the museum and the Besthoff Sculpture Garden led by curators, artists, and other special guests. These lively, participatory conversations provide a moment to take a close look at one work—or a selection of works—currently on view. This week, join for a gallery talk on works in the exhibition New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations. Included with museum admission, which is free for Louisiana residents every Wednesday courtesy of The Helis Foundation’s Art for All initiative. When you arrive at NOMA, check in at the admissions desk for directions to the appropriate location.

New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, New Orleans, LA, 70119

Public Tours Every Wednesday and Saturday

NOMA provides guided tours of the galleries with museum docents and staff every Wednesday and Saturday. During these tours, you’ll explore the museum’s permanent collection of nearly 50,000 works of art and exhibitions currently on view. Included with museum admission, ......More

NOMA provides guided tours of the galleries with museum docents and staff every Wednesday and Saturday. During these tours, you’ll explore the museum’s permanent collection of nearly 50,000 works of art and exhibitions currently on view. Included with museum admission, which is free for Louisiana residents every Wednesday courtesy of The Helis Foundation’s Art for All initiative. When you arrive at NOMA, check in at the admissions desk for directions to the appropriate location.

New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, New Orleans, LA, 70119

Book Club: New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations

NOMA’s book club meets monthly to discuss fiction and non-fiction books related to art in the museum’s collection and exhibitions. It is an informal group open to anyone on a month-to-month basis. You do not have to attend every meeting or read every book to participat......More

NOMA’s book club meets monthly to discuss fiction and non-fiction books related to art in the museum’s collection and exhibitions. It is an informal group open to anyone on a month-to-month basis. You do not have to attend every meeting or read every book to participate. In addition to monthly book discussions, the book club meets periodically for curatorial programs related to the book selections.  Books are selected in advance and planned according to the museum’s exhibition schedule. Participants are expected to procure their own copy of the titles. Selections are also available at the NOMA Museum Shop, where museum members receive a 10% discount. Register Now Meetings are held in person or via Zoom. All meetings begin at 12 pm. For more information or questions, please email [email protected]. About the BookNew African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and CollaborationsEdited by Amanda M. Maples, Jordan A. Fenton, and Lisa HomannAn exploration of contemporary African masquerade that reveals its cultural contexts, artistic innovations, and intersection with museum collection practices By placing masquerade at the forefront of contemporary African art, this volume shows how masquerade is a dynamic and urban phenomenon shaped by shifting global concerns. Essays examine the lack of institutional recognition offered to present-day masquerade artists and the methods used to curate masquerade art at the museum level. An international group of scholars and artists explore the motivations and creative decisions of masquerade artists, highlighting their stories and providing a nuanced understanding of masquerade as a contemporary expression of human experience. This lavishly illustrated study includes more than 150 images, artist’s biographies, in-depth analyses of masquerade ensembles in relation to themes of collaboration, economics, and meaning, and a discussion of the methodologies for ethically commissioning and acquiring masquerade art.

New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, New Orleans, LA, 70119