Ogden Museum of Southern Art

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is a museum dedicated to the visual art and culture of the southern United States. Located in downtown New Orleans, Louisiana, the institution focuses on artists from or associated with the region, situating their work within the context of Southern history and culture. Established in 1999 and opened to the public in 2003, the museum is affiliated with the University of New Orleans and is recognized as a Smithsonian Affiliate. It serves as a major cultural anchor in the city, providing permanent galleries, changing exhibitions, educational programs, and publications.

The museum was established in 1999, building upon the foundational donation of more than 600 paintings and sculptures from the private collection of New Orleans businessman Roger H. Ogden. Ogden was later recognized for his devotion to Southern art and his service to non-profit organizations. The institution opened its doors to the public in 2003. Since the original donation, the collection has expanded significantly through contributions from individuals and collectors across the United States. In 2008, the museum launched its Teen Docent Program, which by the time of its award recognition had enrolled over 40 students who interacted with more than 7,000 people through tours and outreach. In 2018, the museum was selected for a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies as part of a multi-year program providing operating support and management training.

The collection encompasses work by artists from or associated with fifteen Southern states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia. The holdings have grown from the original 600 works to more than 4,000 pieces spanning paintings, watercolors, drawings, prints, photographs, sculpture, wood, and crafts. While there is no easily identifiable Southern art style, recurring themes of place, history, and memory emerge. The scope is broad, ranging from folk art and haunting old photographs to shadowy bayou landscapes and bright modern abstractions. Contemporary artists are also permanently represented in the collection.

The museum represents a wide array of Southern artistic talent. Notable artists featured in the collection include John Alexander, Walter Anderson, Benny Andrews, Clementine Hunter, George Rodrigue, George Dureau, William Dunlap, Ida Kohlmeyer, Will Henry Stevens, Kendall Shaw, Hunt Slonem, James Michalopoulos, William R. Hollingsworth Jr., and George Ohr.

The museum is situated in the Warehouse Arts District of downtown New Orleans at 925 Camp Street. The facility consists of two main buildings: the Patrick F. Taylor Library, designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson and built in 1889, and the adjacent Stephen Goldring Hall. Named after Stephen Goldring, the hall is a five-story, 47,000-square-foot glass and stone building designed by architects Errol Barron and Michael Toups and completed in 2003. The museum complex also houses the Museum Store, the Center for Southern Craft and Design, and the Goldring-Woldenberg Institute for the Advancement of Southern Art and Culture. Located across the street from the National World War II Museum and the New Orleans Contemporary Arts Center, the three institutions anchor an arts district serving local residents and over 11 million visitors to New Orleans annually.

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is located at 925 Camp Street in New Orleans, Louisiana. As a Smithsonian Affiliate, it plays a significant role in the local and national cultural landscape. The institution is associated with the University of New Orleans, reinforcing its educational mission. Visitors can access the museum's permanent and rotating exhibitions, as well as the Center for Southern Craft and Design and the Museum Store. Further information regarding access and programming is available on the museum's official website.