While everyone knows that the arts play a large role in New Orleans, you may not have noticed newer arts-focused venues opening up around the city over the past few years. Focused on celebrating the uniqueness of New Orleans, new venues have popped up, paying tribute to the history and tradition of our wonderful city.

The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, along with development partners, opened The Peoples Health New Orleans Jazz Market. It is a community center and performing arts venue location in central city. There are education experiences for all ages, Jazz Archives, and tributes to Jazz Masters. An exciting section of the Jazz Market is the Bolden Bar which is free and open to the public Tuesday-Saturday with a great happy hour selection Thursday-Saturday from 5-8pm. The venue can also be used as a meeting space, rehearsal space or for special events. It is versatile and elegant!

Photo by TEDx New Orleans

The New Orleans Center for Creative Arts recently opened their new projects: Press Street Station, Press 5 Gallery and Press Street Gardens. Located in Marigny, these three venues accompany each other well. The menu at the café pays homage to Cajun cooking with items such as boudin stuffed mirliton and duck & apple salad. The gallery focuses on artists with a connection to NOCCA and is linked to the café. These two venues can be used together or separately as unique spaces for special events. The Press Street Gardens is a lovely outdoor space that can be used for birthdays, weddings, and other events. It is a half-acre urban farm, an outdoor laboratory, and a beautiful event space that can accommodate a wide range of groups.

Photo by Paul Broussard

With many of the more traditional and older venues such as Preservation Hall and the New Orleans Museum of Art being staples of the New Orleans culture, it is nice to see a few newer and unique spaces around the city as well.