Update, May 21: Due to the weather forecast on Sunday, the Family Festival will be moved indoors to accommodate the planned activities. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Kids and grown-ups are invited to enjoy a day of family-friendly activities and art-making inspired by the Mississippi River and its ties to New Orleans.

• Eco-Futurisms art-making activity with Alaina Comeaux | Coleman Courtyard
• Mapping Together art-making activity | Elevator Lobby by Café
• Pop-up History of the Land Workshop with Grow Dat Youth Farm | Lapis Center
• 11:30 am and 1:30 pm: Garden Walk with the Water Collaborative | begins in the Great Hall
• 1 pm: Performance by the Youth Empowerment Project Drumline | Lapis Center
• Food available for purchase at Café NOMA

Admission and programming are free for families. Pre-registration is encouraged.

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About Our Programming & Partners

Pop-Up Workshops: History of the Land with Grow Dat Youth Farm

10 am–3 pm | Lapis Center

Grow Dat’s History of the Land outdoor museum asks the question “What’s happened right here?”. We explore what City Park’s land has looked like in the past—tracing Indigenous histories, stories of enslavement and emancipation, segregation and Civil Rights, all the way to the present day. By looking thoughtfully and critically at these histories, we set the stage for an interactive art project that envisions what City Park should look like in the future. Come join the conversation! 

Grow Dat Youth Farm, located in City Park, is dedicated to nurturing a diverse group of young leaders through the meaningful work of growing food. Learn more about Grow Dat at growdatyouthfarm.org. 

Family Garden Walk with the Water Collaborative

11:30 am–12:00 pm and 1:30–2:00 pm | Meet in the Great Hall 

How does water show up in our lives here in New Orleans? Sculptures in the garden help tell the story of New Orleans’ relationship with water through this interactive walk for families. At each stop, you’ll look closely at artworks to think and learn about all things water—from the river’s formation to flood management, green infrastructure, and more!

The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans seeks to build a diverse network for all impacted by flood risk by focusing on equitable practices to sustainably live and thrive with water. Learn more about the Water Collaborative at nolawater.org.

Art-Making: Eco-Futurisms with Alaina Comeaux

10 am–3 pm | Coleman Courtyard

What do you dream of for our ecosystem’s future? Capture your dreams for a greener city, country, and planet in this flower-pressing and watercolor art-making activity. 

Alaina Comeaux (they/them) is an artist and educator who grew up along the banks of the Bayou Teche on the Louisiana Gulf Coast and now resides and works between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain. They use art as a means of processing personal and communal grief and joy around the environment and climate change.

Performance by the Youth Empowerment Project Drumline

1 pm | Lapis Center

Founded in 2004, Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) engages young people through community-based education, mentoring, employment readiness, and enrichment programming to help them develop skills and strengthen ties to family and community. YEP’s core purpose is to empower young people to improve their lives and the lives of others. YEP Enriches, an after-school and summer enrichment program for youth, ages 7 to 18, boasts the talented youth Drumline who showcases New Orleans’ distinct musical heritage and culture at events throughout the city. Learn more about YEP at youthempowermentproject.org.

Education and outreach initiatives at NOMA are supported in part by The Gayle and Tom Benson Foundation; the Lois and Lloyd Hawkins Jr. Foundation; The Helis Foundation; The City of New Orleans; IBERIABANK|First Horizon; Janice Parmelee and Bill Hammack; Sara and David Kelso; Patrick F. Taylor Foundation; The RosaMary Foundation; The Azby Fund; the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, a Federal agency; The Collins C. Diboll Private Foundation; Burkenroad Foundation; Marian Dreux Van Horn Education Endowment; Karen and Henry Coaxum; Harvey and Marie Orth; and The Bruce J. Heim Foundation.