Friday nights in New Orleans are full of options, but only a select few combine our unique culture under one roof – “Friday Nights at NOMA” is a sure bet.
A simple streetcar ride to City Park will bring visitors from the French Quarter to the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA). Every Friday night the museum extends its hours and offers special programming from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Access to the event is included with museum admission and members are free.
Started by NOMA Director Susan Taylor in 2011, Fridays feature live music from local musicians, a cash bar and art activities for every age. Each Friday is different by varying the lecture, tour, movie or food demonstration being offered.
For example, this Friday, July 3rd will feature an art talk and the music of Banu Gibson. The following Friday will have music by Amanda Walker and also offer the “Artful Palate” program. This is Café NOMA’s summer cooking series highlighting a rotating group of local chefs, and will be led by Chef Austin Kirzner of Red Fish Grill on July 10th.
Allison Gouaux, communications and marketing manager, said that the Friday Nights at NOMA program has positively impacted both attendance and museum membership. An average of 10,000 people attend the program every year, and NOMA has maintained a 40 percent increase in annual attendance since 2013 – an average of 230,000 annual visitors.
For some, art museums can seem stuffy or like sacred spaces where you should only speak in hushed voices. But NOMA dismantles that perception each Friday by highlighting incredible local musicians and offering kid-friendly activities as well. Experiencing their permanent collection and special exhibitions while you are tapping your foot to the music or sipping a cocktail feels truly special.
Gouaux explains, “For tourists and locals alike, New Orleans is synonymous with a rich artistic culture. The Friday Nights at NOMA program underscores this unique culture by presenting multidisciplinary artists and art activities together every Friday night, highlighting the dense, entwined creative fabric of our city. Friday Nights at NOMA helps raise awareness of the museum's tremendous permanent collection and celebrates the irresistible spirit of Louisiana visual and performing artists. This should be every tourist’s introduction to the culture New Orleans has to offer!”
Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for children ages 6-17, and children under age 6 are free. Museum members are free as well. For more information on upcoming programs and the museum in general, you can visit their website at www.noma.org.
