What's Happening?
The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) has unveiled its 2026–27 Creative Assembly Cohort, featuring six New Orleans-based artists. This year's cohort includes artist, designer, and storyteller Compton III; painter and art educator Ben Hamburger; musician
and composer Kelly Love Jones; performance poet, advocacy journalist, and teaching artist Donney Rose; multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker Kelsey Scult; and interdisciplinary artist and photographer Tiffany Smith. The Creative Assembly program, launched in 2021, provides a year-long residency within NOMA's learning and engagement department, encouraging artists to draw inspiration from the museum's collections, exhibitions, and public programs. The artists commenced their residency in September with an orientation to the museum's history and offerings. During their tenure, cohort members receive funding and museum support to develop artistic projects and collaborate with the learning and engagement department to create public offerings. Kelly Love Jones's residency is specifically supported by the Darryl Chappell Foundation, which funds an Afrodescendant visual artist in this cycle and incorporates the Wilfred Wallace Hammond Jr. Performing Arts Legacy Award.
Why It's Important?
This initiative is significant for fostering artistic talent and community engagement within New Orleans and the broader U.S. art scene. By providing financial and institutional support, NOMA helps sustain the careers of local artists and enriches the cultural landscape. The program's focus on diverse artistic disciplines—from painting and music to poetry and film—ensures a wide range of perspectives are brought to the museum and the public. The involvement of the Darryl Chappell Foundation highlights the growing importance of philanthropic support for arts and culture, particularly in promoting diversity and inclusion within the arts. This model of artist-in-residence programs can serve as a blueprint for other cultural institutions looking to deepen their community ties and support contemporary artistic practice, ultimately contributing to the vibrancy and accessibility of art for all Americans.
What's Next?
The newly announced cohort will continue their year-long residency at NOMA, developing their artistic projects and collaborating with the museum's learning and engagement department. This will involve creating public offerings, which could include workshops, performances, lectures, or exhibitions, making their work accessible to the New Orleans community. The ongoing support from the Darryl Chappell Foundation for an Afrodescendant visual artist suggests a continued commitment to diversity within the arts, potentially influencing future cohort selections and funding models. NOMA will likely continue to promote the artists' work and the program's impact, potentially leading to increased visibility for the artists and further philanthropic interest in similar initiatives. The success of this cohort will also inform the structure and goals of future Creative Assembly programs, ensuring its continued evolution and relevance.
Beyond the Headlines
Beyond the immediate artistic output, NOMA's Creative Assembly program has deeper implications for the role of museums in contemporary society. It positions the museum not just as a repository of art, but as a dynamic hub for creation, dialogue, and community building. By integrating artists directly into its learning and engagement department, NOMA blurs the lines between art creation and education, fostering a more interactive and participatory experience for the public. This approach can challenge traditional perceptions of art institutions and encourage a more inclusive and accessible art world. Furthermore, the program's emphasis on supporting local artists and diverse voices contributes to the cultural preservation and evolution of New Orleans, ensuring that the city's unique artistic heritage continues to thrive and adapt to contemporary expressions.
