K–12 Student Visits

Visiting NOMA allows students to engage with our comprehensive museum collection featuring objects spanning 5,000 years of world history. Student tours present a variety of themes, develop close-looking and critical thinking skills, and help students make connections to their own experiences. 

Student visits are offered to K–12 school groups including students and chaperones free of charge with advanced reservation. 

Guided Visits

Tours led by NOMA’s docents spark creativity and offer opportunities for in-depth examination of the museum’s permanent collection and/or the special exhibition on view. See current or upcoming exhibitions at the New Orleans Museum of Art to help plan your visit. Tours are interactive and conversational. Please submit your reservation request at least two weeks in advance. Reservations fill up quickly, and it is highly recommended to have a few dates in mind for your student visit. 

Please let us know on your request form what your students are working on in the classroom or any special interests your group may have. Special request tours can be designed with one-month notice. NOMA will make every effort to accommodate your group’s request if possible.

Guided Visit Themes

Each tour option is adaptable for students of all grade levels and abilities. 

  • Museum Highlights: An overview of the museum’s comprehensive collection from European paintings and decorative arts to modern and African art. Explore art history with a museum highlights tour. 
  • Special Exhibition: An overview of the special exhibition on view with a museum docent. See current or upcoming exhibitions at the New Orleans Museum of Art.
  • Museum Highlights and Special Exhibition: A combination of the museum’s permanent collection featuring over 5,000 years of art and history and the special exhibition on view.

Docent training for tours is supported in part by Laitram. 

Self-Guided Visits

Groups are welcome to explore NOMA’s collection independently or with their own lecturer. To request a self-guided visit please complete the request form with at least one week’s notice. Reservations are limited by capacity; it is strongly encouraged to submit your request at least two weeks in advance. Self-guided visits are perfect for groups to make connections with their own curriculums and move at their own pace through special exhibitions, permanent collection galleries, and the Besthoff Sculpture Garden. 

Self-guided visits are only available during NOMA’s public hours. 

Group Size

Any group larger than 60 people will be required to split into smaller groups rotating between NOMA’s galleries and the Besthoff Sculpture Garden.  

Still have questions? Contact us at grouptours@noma.org or 504.658.4149.