FAQs

Posted November 10, 2020

ADMISSION

What is the cost of admission to NOMA? Are there opportunities for special audiences to get discounts or free admission?

General admission to the museum: 

  • $15.00 adults
  • $10.00 seniors (65+) & active military with ID
  • $8.00 university students with ID

There are several ways for visitors to qualify for free or reduced prices:

  • $10.00 seniors (65+) & active military with ID
  • $8.00 university students with ID
  • Admission to NOMA is FREE for Louisiana residents on Wednesdays, courtesy of The Helis Foundation. (This does not include admission to some special exhibitions.)
  • Admission for visitors age 19 and younger is always free to the museum and Besthoff Sculpture Garden courtesy of The Helis Foundation. Download a NOMA Teen Pass

Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden admission:

The Besthoff Sculpture Garden is free and open to the public seven days a week, 10 am–6 pm.

Free Admissions for Museum and Besthoff Sculpture Garden:

  • Admission to NOMA is FREE for Louisiana residents on Wednesdays, courtesy of The Helis Foundation. ((This does not include admission to some special ticketed exhibitions.)
  • Admission for visitors age 19 and younger is always free to the museum and Besthoff Sculpture Garden courtesy of The Helis Foundation: Download a NOMA Teen Pass
  • Healthcare workers and first responders are free through March 3, 2021.

NOMA is now open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. The Besthoff Sculpture Garden is open seven days a week, 10 am to 6 pm. COVID-19 safety guidelines require face coverings and social distancing. Prepaid, contactless ticketing is available for visitors to the Museum on our website.

Special Admission Information:

  • NOMA offers online, timed ticketing for visitors and members, and we encourage contactless pay. After purchasing your ticket, you will receive an email with an order confirmation with an e-ticket attached.
  • Visitors who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear a mask. Those who are not, are asked to wear a mask and practice social distancing.
  • The check room is not available at this time so please plan accordingly. We ask that visitors keep bag sizes small. Please, no outside food or drinks.
  • Gallery attendants are on site to monitor social distancing and foot traffic flow.
  • Entrances and restrooms feature sanitizing stations for visitors.
  • High-touch areas undergo enhanced cleaning protocols throughout the day.

 

SECURITY

What security and safety protocols are in place at the museum?

  • Gallery attendants are on hand to safeguard the collection and exhibitions, guide visitors, and answer questions.
  • On special occasions, after hours and in conjunction with sponsoring organizations, the museum has utilized the services of additional security.
  • There are no armed guards or gallery attendants inside the New Orleans Museum of Art.
  • Review NOMA’s COVID-19 safety protocols for visitors.

 

EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION

Is employee compensation competitive? How does the employee experience compare to other institutions in this region?

  • NOMA’s salaries for full-time hourly employees are on average 65% higher than the New Orleans living wage of $11.19 (as of June 2020), and at least double the national minimum wage.
  • NOMA’s wages and health benefits for full-time and part-time employees are equal to or higher than other cultural institutions in the region.
  • Employees at NOMA in the salary ranges below $30,000 have not experienced salary reductions in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Those above that threshold have taken 10% pay cut since June while the salaries of senior staff have been reduced by 20%.

 

NOMA BUILDING AND OPERATIONS

Who owns NOMA’s building? 

  • The City of New Orleans owns the NOMA building, and it has been stewarded by the museum and museum supporters for the last 110 years. Improvements and expansions to the museum have been paid for in a variety of ways, including private funds, foundation support, federal disaster allocations, and city bonds.
  • NOMA’s original building, as well as the nine works in its founding collection, were generously donated by New Orleanian Isaac Delgado in 1910. The museum opened its doors the following year in 1911.

 

What is NOMA’s annual budget and how does the museum receive/generate operational revenue?

  • Cultural organizations are economic engines for their communities, providing jobs, educational resources, and improving quality of life. The City of New Orleans—like cities across Louisiana and the nation—join in public private partnerships that help non-profit organizations serve their communities.
  • Of the museum’s $6.9 million dollar 2021 operating budget, approximately $103,000 is allocated from the City of New Orleans. In-kind contributions from the City of New Orleans include some, but not all, utilities. In response to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city’s funding to the museum will be cut by 20% in 2021.
  • NOMA receives operational revenue through admissions, membership, fundraising events, restricted endowment funds and gifts to the museum.
  • NOMA’s financial statements dating back to 2011 can be found on the museum’s website.
  • We appreciate every contribution we receive. That enables us to continue our service to the people of New Orleans in these challenging times.