Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans

I came here for NOFF (New Orleans Film Festival), and I was very impressed with the space. Very artsy vibes. Great place to host a film festival! I enjoyed walking through an elevator to get to a film screening, and I love how close this location is to other tourist locations. Not sure how the actual museum itself is, but I enjoyed the film festival experience here 💯

Brilliant displays. Beautiful facility, very different from the contemporary arts center of its earliest days. The REFRESHING AMERICA exhibit I saw today was brilliant.

Most disappointing museum I've ever been. No important art inside. You can see some photos on two level ans thats it. Don't waste you money and time. 10 usd is not worth it.

This is the most beautiful building I’ve ever been inside. Absolutely breathtaking architecture. Only two exhibits to see when we went, but they participate in museums4all so it’s free entry for SNAP holders. I was so inspired after enjoying this space.

We came here with our friend who recommended the art center. It was an excellent exhibition. "Gestures of Refusal: Black Photography and Visual Culture" included very talented photographers.

Such a wonderful museum with a range of exhibits. I cannot wait to go back. I loved the #fail exhibit. Each work was so well made, thought out, and carefully curated. The front desk was helpful as well. Exactly what NOLA needs. I hate that I didn’t take more photos.

My catering company, Singletons Catering, had the pleasure to cater an AKA event at this spacious venue. The staff was so accommodating to our requests, which made it a breeze to provide an exceptional and unforgettable catering experience to our client and their guests.

Attended Jack Daniel's event Friday night during Essence Fest. I had the BEST time solo ..the vibe was fantastic, the set up was fabulous, the Art showcase was AMAZING.

I had a great time. The gentleman at the front desk was very helpful, nice and welcoming. It was very wonderful to see the movie turn comic strip that was a film. I had seen long ago. It was not something I was expecting and I was very happy to be reminded of such a great film. I would highly recommend it's a great value for The cost and it has a wide range of difference.

I was so excited to visit and so disappointed when I went. They had a new photography exhibit which was great, and I wanted to take my time and appreciate it. I looked on the website to plan my visit in advance, and saw that they hold themselves out as a very accessible space, with both wheelchairs and folding gallery benches available on request at the front desk and a commitment to accessibility. I went on. Monday, and there were only a few other guests there, so the timing seemed perfect as well. When I asked at the desk, the two staffers had no idea what I was talking about and said they didn't have wheelchairs or anything else for accessibility. I had already paid for myself and my companion, and really wanted to experience this space, but the lack of advertised accessibility meant I had to rush through, leaving a lot unappreciated and using all of my spoons for the day. I can't recommend visiting what would otherwise be a great space until they are able to fix their accessibility issues or fix the misleading statements on their website, since the best museum in the world is useless if you don't have meaningful access.

Didnt have any expectations coming into this museum, nor a clue on what exhibits would be inside. I was pleasantly surprised. During the time it was international women's month I believe so the exhibits were very pro-femme and I loved it!!! It was clean and neat inside. Staff was available but not overbearing. I left feeling like I learned something new and wanted more of it.

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the La Vie En Rose Cafe inside of the Contemporary Arts Center. It's the perfect space to spend a Sunday afternoon catching up with a friend. The space has beautiful decor, ranging from tables with traditional chairs where you can gather with friends or plug away getting work done. I loved the contemporary style sofa in the center of the coffee shop and comfortable chairs that were tucked away by shops window. The barista was extremely pleasant and she took time to talk through some of the menu items with me. This space is beautiful, open and filled with natural light. I'm looking forward to my next visit!

In fairness, the museum was busy preparing for a gala, & the center was in considerable disarray, so take this with a grain of salt. The nice thing was that there was no admission charge on the day we went. The not so nice thing was that there wasn't much to see. The biggest exhibit was comprised of some pretty amateurish papier mache pieces. And there wasn't much direction on how to get anywhere. We took the elevator to the second floor & ended up @ a couple dead-ends. They could have told us to walk up the ramp to get to the sparse exhibits they had there. Anyway, it could have been better.

I recently visited the Contemporary Arts Center two nights in a row for a Grand Tasting event being held by the New Orleans Bourbon Festival. It was great! The space was large and not over-crowded, which I appreciated since there were so many people in attendance. The space has a huge lower level, a smaller upper level, and a large stage and dance floor area in the back. There's also an outdoor area that's fenced in, which was really nice. This was my only visit to this location, but I could see this being a great space for all kinds of events! I definitely enjoyed my time there.

I've only been to the CAC for parties, bands, and events. Honestly I've never found most of the art here very interesting but I'm not really into modern/contemporary art as I much prefer the more classical approach. This place is a great party and event venue and I've had lots of good times here. Admission: $5 General Admission $3 for Students & Seniors FREE to CAC Members

SERVES A PURPOSE Perhaps the least memorable of the museums on this quadrangle. Well not perhaps but more a definitely. However, it's good that the CAC promotes local talent and provides space for topical lectures.

One of the great venues in the city to gaze upon contemporary art or watch a small live action play.

If you want a new and fresh museum, embracing the complexity of art within the current social moment, this is the place for you. Three floors of powerful exhibits and worth the cost of admission. The range of artistic approaches and identities was also refreshing.

"What is with all those people dressed in white carrying handheld fans in the warehouse district?" you may ask, well my friend that would be White Linen Night. I have been several years in a row and it has always been an amazingly fun experience and overall good time. Dressing up in our soon to be wrinkled in 5 seconds white linen garb and heading out to Julia Street is an annual pilgrimage that many find hard to resist. We usually enjoy a nice dinner in the Warehouse District prior to and then get to strolling the galleries to work it off. Towards the end of the evening we usually convene at the CAC where the main party is held and check out all the new installations. Eventually we meander way off path and head to the Marigny to enjoy some live local music. White Linen is like an "art gallery crawl" for those who aren't familiar with it. You get dressed up in your white linen attire and go from each gallery (located on Julia Street) which hosts open houses for you to see the amazing art they have displayed. It is usually a steamy, balmy. evening and your hair falls flat by the end of the night. A perfect summer night in New Orleans in other words. If you haven't been to White Linen Night it is definitely something you should put on your calendar for next year. It is one of the staple events of the summer in the city.

The concierge at my hotel recommended I got to the CAC and I have no idea why. I told her I love MOMA in NYC and the DIA in Detroit. Th CAC was a tremendous disappointment and a waste of my time and money. The building itself would be great if there was anything being displayed that was worthwhile.

The CAC is a great place for local events and parties. I have been here for Bourbon and Burlesque. I love how wide open everything is. There are different levels and there is a lot of space for entertaining. They always have different exhibits and events happening here as well as performances in the theater area. Although the theater is pretty small, by theater standards, it's still a really nice place to see a performance. I watched a Burlesque performance here and had a really good time.

We come from a heavy art education background, having worked at an art museum and an an art school, as a disclaimer. This museum is a prime example of why the general public can sometimes hold contemporary art in disdain. The staff was pretentious almost to the point of rudeness. All of our questions were answered with curt, disinterested responses. The collection itself isn't necessarily anything to write home about with a few standouts. You are much better served by spending your time in the Ogden next door.

I recently had a chance to attend SweetArts Gala at the Contemporary Arts Center. This is absolutely a great location to have parties and even bigger special events, with the warehouse space and gallery space you literally can have just about any event here. The atmosphere, food, music, art, performers were all great and made for an special event. If CAC gives an event just go because they are always pretty amazing.

New Orleans Birthday Trip = Bourbon and Burlesque at the CAC Like Suzanne, I was here for the Bourbon and Burlesque show last back in June. Awesome, is all I have to say. Since she gave you the rundown of the show, I'm going to give you the specs of the center itself--I am an events manager, after all, it's what I do. Venue: I've been to a lot centers, and thrown a lot of events, but as far as venues go, CAC gets props for being one of the coolest spaces I've seen in a while. You enter via the atrium, and it's just a few steps up to the first floor. There are four separate small gallery areas, as well as the stage and cafe. During the show, the cafe was the VIP area, and three of the four galleries were set up as catering stations. Downstairs has standing room for about 150 to 200 depending how packed you want people, with just a bit over 6,000 square feet. The stage is in it's own enclosed room, with mildly sloped stadium seating--which is entirely rearrangeable. Seating maxes out at 200, and the stage is about 15 feet deep, vaguely U-shaped, and on the same level as when you enter. Seating goes higher and lower than the floor. I'm not sure about how good or bad tech is, but there is a separate sound booth up top. I have to admit, for once, I was having too much fun to scope out the tech--trust me, that's out of the ordinary. One of the largest pieces in the CAC is not an installment, but architecture. The large sloping, spiral--well, it's not a staircase, it's a walkway, and when you're drunk, trust me, it's a little hard to navigate. But it's still rather impressive. There is an elevator that will take you to the second floor, but the spiral, or "clamshell" as they call it, is more hysterical. Watching people stumble is great. It can be a rather long and dizzying walk, you have been warned. Upstairs is the largest gallery, a foyer and a separate enclosed room. This room was the cigar lounge at the Bourbon and Burlesque show, which was nice, as we sipped some Saz and smoke as the sun set. There is also a small balcony that overlooks the atrium. The foyer was set up with another food and beverage station, while the gallery had more food, drinks, a stripper pole (which is used shamelessly) and the picture/naming area. I didn't get a stripper name--sorry, Suzanne!--but if you saw the girl in the red dress spinning around, that would be me. Upstairs can accommodate another 250-300 people, possibly closer to 400 if you include the foyer and the cigar room. There is over 30,000 square feet total in the CAC--including the "New Warehouse" which we did not have access to at the show--and can accommodate over 1,000 people. What floors me about the CAC is how adaptable it is, it can do almost anything. Hell, there was an acrobatics act in the atrium which, because of the contemporary architecture, meant hooking up a pulley and harness system was easypeasy. The Bourbon & Burlesque Show probably gout about 500 people throughout the night, and we were VIPs which means we're now card-carrying members of the CAC. So put on some great things, NOLA, I want an excuse to go back! Food: While the convention center is just a few blocks away--with all that implies foodwise--the CAC was a great break from the typical downtown fare. Our event was catered by Deanie's Bourbon House, and it was downright delicious. Those blueberry pork sandwiches were to die for, and the bourbon shrimp made me smile like no tomorrow. Best drink of the night was the Blue Betty, although I had a mean Saz too. On a typical day, though, the CAC is still home to the French Market Cafe, which has a very modern feel. From what I saw, they do coffees pastries. A nice spot to stop by and cool down on a hot summer day.

I went in half an hour before closing so the nice girl just let me in for free. I actually think half an hour is enough time to see everything though. The interior of the building itself is very cool and the exhibits are pretty great. The one they have right now(Jacqueline Humphries) has some black-light paintings.

I visited the CAC for the final weekend of Prospect 2. I was really interested in seeing the Alexis Rockman piece "Battle Royale", but knew there were going to be a few other artists in the P2 exhibition section. I arrived and headed for the desk to purchase a ticket. The attendant asked if I was a student and said admission was half-off for students. At that moment I recalled seeing something on the website about student pricing, but I must've blocked it out because I forgot to bring my ID. I told him I didn't have it so I guessed I'd be paying full price. He started to ring me up and then kind of suddently said "What do you study!?" When I immediately shot back with my reply he said he'd give me the student pricing. Nice guy. Might want to cut the white-guy dreds though. The gallery space was open and well lit. The spiral ramp to the second floor allowed for another angle on exhibits on both levels. Viewing areas for the 3 video installations were amply sized with seating. Restrooms were easy to find and clean. I'm considering becoming a member.

I stopped by without knowing what exhibit I would be seeing: it was Adam Pendleton "Becoming Imperceptible." Although a very interesting exhibition, the accompanying guide was not laid out well and it was unclear what particular work I was looking at. The names of the works were not next to the pieces as I'm accustomed to in most museums (then again, perhaps this was part of preserving the exhibition space). All in all, a very cool space and high quality art that warrants another visit.

Great mix of all art. I've visited the CAC a few times. The first time, they had the amazing Thomas Woodruff "Freak Parade" show. http://thomaswoodruff.com/freak-parade/ It's was incredibly beautifully curated and it was only $3 admission because they were in the middle of installing something else so half the galleries were closed. It was a welcome escape from the summer heat. The second time I was there, they were completely changing out the galleries so there was nothing on show. It was still a nice place to sit and have a latté while pondering the open architecture and bottle of orange soda on the exposed beams. Their bathrooms are gorgeous. The last time I was there was for Bourbon and Burlesque 2012. Awesome fund raiser with drinks, food, and burlesque. If you happen to be in NOLA in late July, definitely go. What could be better!? Exactly, nothing.

When I lived in New Orleans for 6 months in 2006 (after Katrina) C.A.C. was only partially open (the top to floors were damaged from the winds and rain) and the exhibits were sparse. In 2008 the museum looks like it's fully recovered and I was able to visit for free to see the Prospect One contemporary Biennial. http://www.prospectneworleans.org/ The work displayed was innovative and provocative. They made great use of the maze-like warehouse-feeling space. All the separated rooms are great for displaying videos, turning each corner revealed a new surprise. I'm not sure what the art is like outside the PROSPECT ONE exhibition, but the space is really great and certainly worth a visit when you're in the Crescent City.

I had the opportunity to visit the CAC during the New Orleans Film Festival. The NOFS is based out of the Contemporary Arts Center along with other arts-based organizations. Things I enjoyed: Amazing space. It's a renovated building and the interior architecture is just really appealing. The modern elements mixed with the old, rustic warehouse-like features (exposed brick) was a cool juxtaposition. They also have ample amounts of restrooms on every floor - big plus. Parking was never an issue as the streets surrounding the facility have multiple credit card accepting parking meters.

Museum month brought me to CAC. First of all, after parking by the shelter I was wondering what I was in for. Wow, once I stepped into the building I was taken aback. If you don't love contemporary art, this is not the place for you.. I do suggest however to walk into the building and take a look at the structure which is a unique mix of wood, steel and glass. It is super cool. As far as the museum goes, I walked around saying... "hmmmmm" like a lot! I suppose that is what you are supposed to do with contemporary art, you know contemplate, but..... it might be a little outside of what I enjoy. So why did I give 4 stars? Well, my 8 year old daughter loved the place. She was enamored with the ideas behind the art. Frankly, I think she was excited that some of her "pieces" could make it in. So, overall cool place. I wouldn't put out $28 for the three of us to go again, but I would go during museum month. =) Also, keep your eye out for pop up happy hour that occurs here periodically. It sounds like a really cool event and it is free!

I want the big gun in the window, and I want to crash a reception. I tried to acquire one, and tried to do the other. I was turned down in the classiest way ever. With a hug. I wish I could remember your name, and thank you for not kicking me in the balls. Go here, now!!!!

We were very disappointed with this part of our visit to New Orleans. For a such a large "contemporary arts center" you'd think they would have more than two artists in the whole building, especially costing us 20 bucks to come in and have less than an hour to look around (they close at 5). It wouldn't have been so bad if the work was quality fine art but we felt the Jockum Nordstrom exhibit was simply garbage art, tastelessly sexual AND poorly executed. The individual works weren't even all labeled which I thought was a bit lazy and uninvested on the gallery's part so if I did see a piece I liked I probably couldn't find the information on it. I wish we'd skipped this and used our time/money to check out other galleries in the area. If you come here, make sure to stop by the gift shop for their great selection of books, yummy cold brew, and friendly staff--it was the best part of this visit.

Well curated. Very nice space with excellent film and performance offerings every season. Fun special events. The Spun cafe puts out a decent cup of coffee or a drink. The CAC offers something that is not absent but not much had in NOLA. Super reasonable membership for those of you in town which includes discounts and member only exclusives.

Last night I went to the Contemporary Arts Center for the first time. I run a little art gallery in the French Quarter, and a good one at that. I grew up in NYC, lived in and worked in art galleries in San Francisco, am very well-travelled, and know a tad about art. Since I pass CAC every day on the way to work, and have seen from the outside lots of private and paid for events as I passed, I was happy to find that they had a free night yesterday on my day off, a Thursday. I went to check this out in the Gambit, but there was no listing, yet on their website was a jpg talking about this free event. GREAT. I'd finally get to see the place. I called to ensure that this was happening, got a voice mail saying noting about the event, and clicked the final option, O which gave me a BS message to leave a message. Wow, no mention of the even either. Undeterred, I got there just after 7pm, in hopes to hear the free music they promised park for free on the street, and finally get to see the place. There were people hanging around, poorly dressed, a good deal of whom were outside by a food truck. Inside there was a pile of people sitting in chairs being lectured, the best I could determine about funding... So I strolled behind them, asking the guard if I may go upstairs and look around, which I did. This place was the biggest piece of shit I'd ever seen. No music as promised, no people upstairs except security types, and the most forgettable poor art I have ever seen in such a place. What WAS great about the place was their long winding walkway .. all the way up, like the Guggenheim. You know what was on the walls, walking the entire way up and down? NOTHING. Absolutely nothing. I could Not believe it!t The galleries contained the worst collections I have ever seen. Where did they get this stuff? My hit is these are a bunch of art types, soliciting money for their psudo art place so they can get jobs, for certainly anyone who would run a beautiful space (the facility was nifty) like this, couldn't get a job doing anything else. The poor great architect who designied this should sue for using this well designedl space like this. If you are involved in the arts, you should go. It's amazing crap.

My friend had a gathering here for a showing of her video - the little reception was nice and the space was great. I went here again for White Linen Night and it was okay. The DJ was pretty good. I'd love to come back here during a normal day to see the art and displays.

One of the greatest resources for the arts community in the New Orleans metro area. Between live performances, installations / exhibits, plus the amazing spaces these things take place in, it's just wow.

The cafe at the CAC is part of my afternoon routine. The cappuccinos have just the right amount of foam and the espresso is not too bitter. I like the CAC cafe for coffee much more than the PJ's in the WW II Museum.

Amazing art space+ they have performances. I wish their website was a bit more user friendly since we were from out-of-town it was hard to figure out what was going on at the center. Overall I have seen some amazing artwork here connected to Katrina.

I loved the exhibits - 1000 Threads was my favorite - so cool. We also really loved the structure that can be crawled in - it was like a tree house made from wood and crashed automobiles. We went for a children's play, it was enjoyable, but we really enjoyed the exhibit.

The venue itself is great. There is one installation that you can view as you climb up or down the winding curved staircase made from a bunch of pulled strings. Pretty cool. Another, like wood and a wrecked car that you can climb around. Not a very big collection over all, but nonetheless interesting. Worth a visit if you are nearby, but not worth coming specifically to visit. The dead hanging animals were morbid and interesting.

I am a fan of White Linen Night, I have been several years past. It is super fun to get dressed up and go out with my friends for a night in the warehouse district, but I must say from an artist's perspective, every year it is becoming less and less about the art, as many of the galleries weren't open last night compared to past years. What is happening is it is becoming more of a party and a fashion show than an art event . I don't mind a party, but I am an artist and one who has a great appreciation for art, I think a lot of the people there weren't even aware of the fact that it was a benefit for the CAC. When White Linen Night first started, it was all about the galleries, but the art in the galleries left much to be desired in my opinion. There is much better art on both Magazine and Royal streets. Some may have a different opinion because it is definitely "to each his own" in the art world, but for the most part it was just okay. The party is definitely a fun one, and most people including myself stay in the warehouse district for after parties and what not, but I think next year they need to make more of an effort to promote that it is an art event and not a fashion show.