Who Built the New Orleans Museum of Art?

Art|Art Museum

The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) has been a cultural cornerstone in the city since 1911. It is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the American South.

The museum’s permanent collection spans more than 5,000 years of global art history and includes an impressive selection of European and American paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, photography, prints and drawings.

The original building for NOMA was designed by local architects Thomas Sully and Leon Weiss, who completed it in 1911. The museum was originally conceived as a palace for art-lovers to explore the world’s creative heritage.

In 1917, the museum was expanded with a new wing designed by prominent New Orleans architects William Freret and Arthur Quesnel.

In 1966, NOMA underwent a massive renovation that saw its main building expanded by two stories and its original wings remodeled. The renovation was designed by esteemed architect Edward Durell Stone.

Stone designed the renovation to complement the existing building while also modernizing it with contemporary touches. The renovation included an impressive grand staircase leading up to the galleries as well as an open-air courtyard.

Stone’s renovation had a significant impact on the look and feel of NOMA. It also saw many new additions to the museum including a state-of-the-art auditorium, an outdoor sculpture garden, an interactive children’s gallery and more.

In conclusion, it can be said that NOMA has been shaped by many talented individuals throughout its history. From its original architects Thomas Sully and Leon Weiss to its modern renovator Edward Durell Stone, each has helped make NOMA what it is today: one of New Orleans’ most iconic cultural institutions.