November 19, 2025
Much like jazz itself, New Orleans is a melting pot of diverse rhythms and flavors, from its multi-cultural heritage and world-renowned cuisine to its one-of-a-kind traditions. This unique blending of divergent backgrounds, nationalities, historical influences and customs has led to the creation of a city like no other, and one that proudly dances to its own harmonious beat.
The same can be said about the New Orleans Jazz Museum, which is about to enter a fine-tuning stage aimed at becoming much more than just a museum—a place where heritage, entrepreneurship, and public life converge. Since 1961, the museum has celebrated jazz in the city where it was born through its interactive exhibitions, educational programming, research facilities and musical performances. Now it’s set to create its own cacophony with its highly anticipated overhaul, which promises to boost visitor engagement, community interaction and overall musical performance experience.
Ideally perched at the intersection of music club-lined Frenchmen Street and the edge of the French Quarter, the New Orleans Jazz Museum building (originally built to house a U.S. Mint) is hitting the right note by reinventing its outdoor footprint. The $1,125,000 project centered on creating new gathering, performance and visitor-friendly spaces are sure to strike a chord with locals and visitors alike. “We’re pulling out all the stops with regard to the enhanced exterior spaces,” explains museum director Greg Lambousy. “These improvements will increase our offerings as an economic engine for local businesses, performers and culture bearers of the city, while enhancing our role as an active civic anchor,” he adds.
One of the focal points of the re-imagined exterior includes the addition of a first-floor visitor café (offering light fare and beverages) designed to welcome guests and serve as a casual gathering point. “The exterior enhancements, including the café, will reframe how visitors first encounter the museum, which is very exciting,” states Greg. Another major upgrade (and one that will be music to the ears of concert fans!) is the installation of a new permanent, prefabricated outdoor stage, aimed to elevate musical performances, sound and lighting, as well as benefit festivals and events. “The outdoor stage will bring performance onto the lawn on a regular basis, reducing barriers between art and audience,” explains Greg.
The centerpiece is the Education Courtyard, envisioned as a multifunctional space that will include seating, shaded landscaping, interpretive installations and sculptural elements that reflect the museum’s mission. According to Greg: “the courtyard is conceived as a venue for workshops, lectures, pop-up performances, community festivals, and spontaneous interaction. A place where students, scholars, locals, and visitors can mix and mingle around New Orleans’ musical spirit.” Anchoring the courtyard—as a symbol of the intersection of art, education, and musical legacy—will be two sculptures entitled The Bass Player and Trumpet Man, created by legendary musician and artist Herb Alpert.
Inside, guests will enjoy new interpretive exhibits using layered storytelling, immersive installations and first-person narratives to connect with jazz’s living tradition. Museum upgrades are expected to be complete in time for French Quarter Festival in April 2026. The New Orleans Jazz Museum will be open to visitors during regular hours throughout the improvement phase, and concerts and events will continue as planned. For a complete schedule of museum events, visit: nolajazzmuseum.org.
The same can be said about the New Orleans Jazz Museum, which is about to enter a fine-tuning stage aimed at becoming much more than just a museum—a place where heritage, entrepreneurship, and public life converge. Since 1961, the museum has celebrated jazz in the city where it was born through its interactive exhibitions, educational programming, research facilities and musical performances. Now it’s set to create its own cacophony with its highly anticipated overhaul, which promises to boost visitor engagement, community interaction and overall musical performance experience.
Ideally perched at the intersection of music club-lined Frenchmen Street and the edge of the French Quarter, the New Orleans Jazz Museum building (originally built to house a U.S. Mint) is hitting the right note by reinventing its outdoor footprint. The $1,125,000 project centered on creating new gathering, performance and visitor-friendly spaces are sure to strike a chord with locals and visitors alike. “We’re pulling out all the stops with regard to the enhanced exterior spaces,” explains museum director Greg Lambousy. “These improvements will increase our offerings as an economic engine for local businesses, performers and culture bearers of the city, while enhancing our role as an active civic anchor,” he adds.
One of the focal points of the re-imagined exterior includes the addition of a first-floor visitor café (offering light fare and beverages) designed to welcome guests and serve as a casual gathering point. “The exterior enhancements, including the café, will reframe how visitors first encounter the museum, which is very exciting,” states Greg. Another major upgrade (and one that will be music to the ears of concert fans!) is the installation of a new permanent, prefabricated outdoor stage, aimed to elevate musical performances, sound and lighting, as well as benefit festivals and events. “The outdoor stage will bring performance onto the lawn on a regular basis, reducing barriers between art and audience,” explains Greg.
The centerpiece is the Education Courtyard, envisioned as a multifunctional space that will include seating, shaded landscaping, interpretive installations and sculptural elements that reflect the museum’s mission. According to Greg: “the courtyard is conceived as a venue for workshops, lectures, pop-up performances, community festivals, and spontaneous interaction. A place where students, scholars, locals, and visitors can mix and mingle around New Orleans’ musical spirit.” Anchoring the courtyard—as a symbol of the intersection of art, education, and musical legacy—will be two sculptures entitled The Bass Player and Trumpet Man, created by legendary musician and artist Herb Alpert.
Inside, guests will enjoy new interpretive exhibits using layered storytelling, immersive installations and first-person narratives to connect with jazz’s living tradition. Museum upgrades are expected to be complete in time for French Quarter Festival in April 2026. The New Orleans Jazz Museum will be open to visitors during regular hours throughout the improvement phase, and concerts and events will continue as planned. For a complete schedule of museum events, visit: nolajazzmuseum.org.
