NEW ORLEANS – This holiday season, take a journey through art, history and cultures from around the world without leaving New Orleans – or spending a dime on admission. Through The Helis Foundation’s Art for All initiative, Louisiana residents may enjoy free admission to some of the city’s most celebrated cultural institutions, with exhibitions offering something for every age and interest.
From Japanese paintings and contemporary Louisiana art to thought-provoking photography, Art for All invites individuals and families to discover perspectives, celebrate creativity and experience rich cultural offerings in their own backyard.
“One of the things that makes New Orleans special is the incredible diversity of cultures that shape our city,” said Jessie Schott Haynes, managing director of The Helis Foundation. “Through Art for All, we hope to ensure every Louisianian, especially our youth, has access to experiences that inspire curiosity, spark creativity and encourage them to discover the world beyond their own lived experiences. You never know what a visit to a museum might inspire – a future artist, a world traveler or simply a lifelong love of learning.”
Plan your next cultural outing with these upcoming exhibitions and experiences:
New Orleans Museum of Art | Free Wednesdays
- Second Nature: Japanese Rinpa Paintings from the Gitter-Yelen Collection (Through Feb. 14, 2027) – Explore the beauty of Japanese art over centuries through nearly 60 paintings, folding screens and scrolls that capture the natural world, changing seasons and human emotions.
- Danielle Mckinney: Shelter (Nov. 6 – Aug. 15, 2027) – See a remarkable selection of paintings from one of contemporary art’s leading figures, who was recently named to TIME’s inaugural Art100 List.
Ogden Museum of Southern Art | Free Thursdays
- Louisiana Contemporary, presented by The Helis Foundation (Through Feb. 14, 2027) – Celebrate the creativity of artists from across Louisiana in the 15th anniversary of this annual juried exhibition, which has featured more than 650 artists since its inception.
New Orleans Botanical Garden | Free Wednesdays
- The Helis Foundation Enrique Alférez Sculpture Garden (Permanent) – Stroll through the 8,000 square-foot sculpture garden nestled within the New Orleans Botanical Garden and explore more than 20 works by renowned artist Enrique Alferez, who called New Orleans home for nearly 70 years until his death. The garden features the largest collection of Alférez’s sculptures, displayed along the winding pathways surrounded by lush greenery.
Louisiana Children’s Museum | Free Sunday, Nov. 8
- Beyond Our Walls: The Helis Foundation John Scott Center Collection (Through Nov. 30) – Discover the art and legacy of renowned New Orleans artist John T. Scott, who believed in the power of creativity and arts education. This exhibition invites children and families to explore, imagine and create while celebrating Scott’s enduring philosophy of “Pass It On.”
New Orleans African American Museum | Free the third Saturday of every month
- SATURDAYS @ NOAAM – Designed for visitors of all ages, SATURDAYS @ NOAAM brings people together through live performances, engaging cultural experiences, fellowship, and free admission to the museum. Each event offers an opportunity to connect with New Orleans’ rich African American history and culture while celebrating creativity, community, and shared traditions in a welcoming, family-friendly environment.
- The Heritage Lab: Recipes for Resilience: How the Culinary Arts Fuel the Fight for Black Liberation (Ongoing) – In partnership with Them People Productions, Recipes for Resilience is an interactive exhibition that explores how Black communities in the American South have used food as a tool of resistance, cultural memory, and collective survival. We invite visitors to the Black kitchen to reflect on how everyday objects reveal deeper stories about sovereignty, resilience, and the power of collective care.
Contemporary Art Center | Free Sundays
- Great Scott! The Life/Work of Carol Scott (Nov. 7 – March 9, 2027) –Explore more than 40 past and recent works by Carol Scott, an accomplished sculptor, painter and poet, who helped elevate colored pencil to a fine art form. Now in her eighties, Scott continues to create, and this exhibition celebrates her significant contributions to New Orleans’ visual arts community.
- Nic[o] Brierre Aziz: Sweet Surrender (November 7, 2026-February 14, 2027) –The first institutional solo exhibition by New Orleans-born artist Nic[o] Brierre Aziz explores the relationship between Black life, cultural heritage, history and power. Featuring a decade of work across photography, sculpture, performance and installation, the exhibition examines how histories of exploitation continue to shape contemporary culture and society.
Whether discovering a new favorite artist or simply enjoying an afternoon surrounded by creativity, Art for All, makes it easier to experience the extraordinary arts and cultural offerings New Orleans has to offer.
Make art and culture part of your holiday plans! Gather your family, invite a friend or enjoy an outing and explore something new through Art for All. Visit www.TheHelisFoundation.org to learn more about participating institutions and free admission opportunities.