Contemporary Arts Center

The Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans is committed to artists, the presentation of multidisciplinary work, and advancing the value and power of the art of our time. The CAC is a touchstone for Contemporary Art in New Orleans and the Gulf South, enhancing connections between artists and communities and providing a forum for ideas and the exploration of a just society through artistic creation, public engagement, and institutional practice.

Established in 1976, The Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) spans 6 decades as one of the leading multidisciplinary arts centers in the country and region. Founded by a multidisciplinary group of local artists and cultural leaders as a place to foster awareness of contemporary art and ideas through presentation of performing and visual artists.

As an artist-centered, non-collecting institution, the CAC works to democratize cultural practices and create a hub for the local arts community. Over the past 49 years, the CAC has produced work in theater, visual arts, film and video, music, youth education, and artist professional development. The annual Gulf South Open Call exhibition has presented more than 400 artists from around the region. Performing and Visual Arts Residencies provide local artists unique opportunities to create and present work for national audiences. As the CAC prepares for its next 50 year, its focus is on being a community hub and partner to other arts focused nonprofit organizations.

Testimonials

"The New Orleans Contemporary Art Center is a ramp for local artists to launch from this city's vibrant art scene into the national art scene. Without the CAC highlighting talent, many New Orleans artists would struggle to be recognized on the national scene. Additionally, through showing many local artists, they display a future for many younger New Orleanian's who can see themselves growing into the art scene of New Orleans through attending shows of their peers and professors. Many other institutions in New Orleans create space for emerging artists to show framed works, but the CAC excels in providing installation space and massive installs to local artists."