Louisiana Contemporary 2026 | Presented by The Helis Foundation
Ogden Museum of Southern Art first launched Louisiana Contemporary, presented by The Helis Foundation in 2012, to establish a vehicle that would bring to the fore the work of artists living in Louisiana and highlight the dynamism of art practice throughout the state. Since the inaugural exhibition, Ogden Museum has shown works by over 650 artists, making Louisiana Contemporary an important moment in the national arts calendar to recognize and experience the spectrum and vitality of artistic voices emanating from New Orleans and in art communities across Louisiana.
This statewide, juried exhibition promotes the contemporary art practices in the state of Louisiana, provides an exhibition space for the exposition of living artists’ work and engages a contemporary audience that recognizes the vibrant visual arts culture of Louisiana and the role of New Orleans as a rising, international art center.
About the Juror | Sarah Jones
Sarah Jones is the Lulu C. and Anthony W. Wang Head of Live Arts at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. She oversees the department and its programming, which presents and commissions works of performance, including music, dance, related hybrids and site-specific projects, often in collaboration with the Museum’s Collection and Exhibitions. Her innovative methods to deepening audience engagement with visual art has been pivotal in expanding how the Museum embraces the live, the experimental and the urgent. Previously she acted as Chief of Staff and Director of Public Programs at Gagosian. In 2018, she established and led the gallery’s department overseeing global public programming and performance commissions, collaborating with artists including Kyle Abraham, Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah, Aaron Diehl, Missy Mazzoli, Rashaun Mitchell + Silas Reiner, Jason Moran, Samora Pinderhughes, Vernon Reid, Raphael Saadiq, Isabella Summers, Youth Orchestra Los Angeles and John Zorn, among others. A trusted leader and strategist, Jones helped shape the gallery’s approach to performance, artist relations, and storytelling across global exhibitions and special projects. She is a 2025 Lunder Institute for American Art Fellow and she serves as President of the Board of Directors of The Kitchen, is a Board Member of ISCP and is in Performance Space New York’s Visionary Circle.
Presenting Sponsor | The Helis Foundation
The Helis Foundation believes in the transformative power of art. Whether to preserve culture, enrich lives, foster community, invigorate conversation or challenge mindset, The Helis Foundation is dedicated to supporting, cultivating and celebrating the vibrant arts scene in the greater New Orleans area. By providing access to works of art from world-renowned artists both local and international, The Helis Foundation provides vital resources, encourages artistic excellence and promotes accessibility and diversity through art.
Exhibition Support
Host Committee: Roger Ogden and Ken Barnes | Tyson Geary
Supporting Sponsors: Holly and Geoff Snodgrass
Exhibition Opening in conjunction with Fidelity Bank White Linen Night 2026
August 1, 2026 from 5 - 10 pm
