New Orleans Museum of Art — Attraction in New Orleans

This is an email I wrote to the museum regarding blatant RACISM from a STAFF member.

Dear Sir / Madam,

My friend and I attended the museum today (Tuesday 15th October) around 3:30pm and we left at 4:55pm. Bare in mind my friend is white British and I am black British. Upon arrival we were both greeted pleasantly by the lady at reception. However, I was immediately targeted by one of your staff members and followed around by him until I was forced to say something. My first interaction with him (I don't know his name but he was white, had black hair and wore glasses). He was very rude in asking me to wear my sticker on show which I kindly obliged as I forgot I had accidentally covered it under my top. I noticed around me that not many other people wore a sticker on show, but he happened to just pick me out. After that this staff member continued to follow me throughout the museum. This was no coincidence. I admit I had a small bite to eat of chocolate in the gallery as I was feeling a bit faint. Of which within half a second the same staff member was right there to tell me not to do that. However, when I saw 3 white women eating right near him. In a gallery. He said nothing. I finally got to the end of my tether and ensured he heard me when I said: "I really hate it when staff members follow me around, I'm very aware of how to conduct myself in a museum". At that point your staff member did everything in his power to ensure he was out of my site yet still close enough to keep unnecessary tabs on me. He spoke to me in a cold manner again when he said "the museum is closing in 10 minutes". Of which I kindly responded, "yes I am very aware of the time thank you". He refused to make eye contact with me and continued to follow me. I'm sure if this was just my white friend she wouldn't have experienced this at all.

I wasn't going to say anything however, his behaviour was disgusting and disrespectful. I hope he gets the correct training in understanding unconscious biases.

PS - I used a Library membership museum pass to gain access for me and my friend. I was a curator in a museum for years. Of course I'm aware of certain rules and museum etiquette however, even after I kindly followed the conduct that staff member still chose me as a target and follow...

I was surprised that this marble edifice, impressive but also somewhat staid, held so many treasures inside!

The first floor begins in the Great Hall, with a grand staircase watched over by a Rodin nude. On one side of the hall are rooms for European Renaissance and Baroque pieces, some quite beautiful and evocative. On the other side, across the hall, Dutch and Flemish paintings offer their typically lavish still-lifes and grotesque portraits. Through rear doors, you’ll find a shop and a cafe (both highly regarded) and a very large gallery for changing exhibitions. This was, unfortunately, closed during our visit.

Upstairs, on the second floor, is where the action begins. There’s an extensive collection of French art across the great hall from rooms of 19th century Louisiana paintings and decorative arts. In the back, the modern extension of the museum displays many works by American and European masters: Degas, Monet, Matisse, Rodin, Gaugin, Braque, Renoir, Miró, Picasso (at least twice), Cassatt (also twice), O’Keeffe, Pollock.

To the left, there are rooms devoted to photography, decorative arts, and prints. To the right, there is a changeable gallery for contemporary exhibits. That’s where we saw the stunning “America” by Will Ryman, a life-size Lincolnesque log cabin, painted all in gold and constructed from cultural touchstones - chains, arrowheads, bullets, spark plugs, iPads, pills and lozenges, gas caps.

On the third floor there are exhibits for African Art, Asian Art (China, Oceana, Japan, India), and pre-Columbian Mesoamerican Art - there are some pieces from the ancient Mediterranean, too.

In short, this museum seems to have a little of everything. Or a lot! The NOMA’s complete collection is apparently much larger and even more extensive than what can be put on display - that’s an issue for most art museums, but is particularly true with this institution and its hundred-year-old marble premises. It simply means that visitors should become frequent revisitors, not a bad...

Beautiful and diverse array of inspiring and meaningful historical and modern artwork. Gorgeous building, friendly staff, and much larger than it seems. Because of the way the building is designed you'll often think you're about to be going in circles back to the same exhibits but will find yourself in a whole new section with new and even more exciting pieces! I literally got lost in it and it was awesome. And many of the exhibits make you really feel like you're getting a visual history lesson on New Orleans.

Also amazing is everything around the museum. The grass, flowers, and water. You can picnic or read a book on the lawn and feed geese and swans or rent a kayak, 2 row bike, mini-racing go-carts, or a number of other random and fun activities.

And you have to check out the Sculpture Garden right next to/behind the museum. It is amazingly beautiful and interesting.

Great place to visit with friends and family of all ages. And it's right in the heart of City Park so you can tour all the other sights they have (lakes/bayous, parks/picnic spaces, miniature golf, Storyland) and grab beignets and coffee at Morning Call, a 2 min walk away, or stop in for lunch, dinner, or just happy hour at Ralph's on the Park where every drink and food menu item is peak New Orleans and deliciousness (read my review on this place).

Make a day of your NOMA visit in City Park...