Visual Arts

Alexandria Museum of Art

The museum is one of four accredited art museums in Louisiana. The five galleries include a children's gallery, a Louisiana gallery and three galleries housing touring exhibits.

River Oaks Arts Center

River Oaks Square is a contemporary arts (visual) and crafts center made up of resident artists. Most of the work displayed in the studios is available for purchase and many artists accept commissions.

Arna Bontemps African American Museum & Cultural Arts Center

1327 Third Street, 318-473-4692

The Arna Bontemps African American Museum and Cultural Arts Center was founded in 1988 by the Arna Bontemps Foundation, Incorporated, a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. The organization was formed through the Division of Community Affairs, Office of the Mayor, City of Alexandria, Louisiana.

The Museum is the restored childhood home of Arna Bontemps - poet, author, anthologist, and librarian - who was considered the leading authority of the Harlem Renaissance. The period - sometimes referred to as the "New Negro" movement - is when young Black writers went to Harlem to share the Black experience through their writing.

The home, which was impacted by I-49 construction, was rescued, relocated, restored, and established as the first African American Museum in Louisiana. Since its opening in August of 1992, the Museum has become a nationally recognized treasured landmark and a model institution that serves a cross-cultural community. The birthplace home of Arna Wendell Bontemps stands as a symbol of our past, present, and future. The Museum belongs to the community just as the works of Arna Bontemps belong to Alexandria and the world.

Museum Hours are 
10:00-4:00 T-F 
10:00-2:00 Saturday

Admissions are Free, Donations are Welcome.
http://www.arnabontempsmuseum.org