New Orleans Center for Creative Arts

For high school students across Louisiana with a passion for the arts and a drive to excel, the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) is a truly unparalleled institution. Established in 1973, NOCCA is the state's regional, pre-professional arts training center, offering intensive instruction in a wide array of creative disciplines. It's more than just a school; it's a vibrant incubator where young talent is nurtured, challenged, and prepared for successful futures, whether they choose to pursue a career in the arts or apply their creative discipline to other fields.

What sets NOCCA apart is its unique model: it provides tuition-free, world-class arts education to any Louisiana student who meets its rigorous audition requirements. Students can attend NOCCA for a full day through the Academic Studio, which grants a diploma, or they can participate in the arts programs in the afternoon or late-day while attending their home high school for academics. This flexibility ensures that aspiring artists from diverse backgrounds and locations across the state can access this extraordinary educational opportunity.

NOCCA's impact is profound, having produced a remarkable roster of successful alumni who have made their mark on the national and international stage in various artistic fields. From Grammy and Tony Award winners to renowned chefs and acclaimed writers, NOCCA's graduates are a testament to the transformative power of its programs. The school prides itself on instilling not just artistic technique, but also an ethic of discipline, responsibility, and creative exploration that prepares students for productive adult lives.

This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, detailing its location and accessibility, the extensive range of arts and academic programs it offers, its distinguishing features and highlights, and ultimately, why it is an ideal and suitable place for ambitious young artists throughout Louisiana.

The New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) is prominently located at 2800 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA. This address places the campus in the vibrant and historic Faubourg Marigny/Bywater neighborhood, an area known for its artistic community and cultural significance. Chartres Street is a major thoroughfare that offers excellent connectivity within New Orleans.

Accessibility to NOCCA is a key advantage for students commuting from various parts of the city and even from across Louisiana. While specific parking information isn't always widely publicized, the urban location means street parking may be available in the vicinity. For those relying on public transportation, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) bus system provides multiple routes that serve the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods, connecting students from other areas of the city. Given that students come from over 100 public, private, parochial, and home schools across Louisiana, the accessibility of the campus is paramount. Many students may carpool from distant parishes, and the central location within New Orleans makes it a feasible destination for this unique regional program. The campus itself is designed to be a welcoming and stimulating environment, easily reachable for the diverse student body it serves.

Services Offered:

• Pre-Professional Arts Training: NOCCA offers intensive, pre-professional arts training for secondary school-aged children in 11 distinct disciplines.
• Arts Disciplines:
  • Classical Instrumental Music
  • Creative Writing
  • Culinary Arts
  • Dance
  • Drama
  • Entertainment Production Design
  • Jazz
  • Media Arts (Filmmaking & Audio Production)
  • Musical Theatre
  • Visual Arts
  • Vocal Music
• Academic Studio: A full-day, diploma-granting, college-preparatory academic program launched in 2011, allowing students to receive their academic education and arts training at NOCCA.
• Conservatory Arts Program (Half-Day/After-School): Students can attend NOCCA for their arts training in the afternoon or late-day while continuing their academic studies at their home high school.
• Tuition-Free Education: Admission to all NOCCA programs is tuition-free for Louisiana students who meet the audition requirements.
• Audition-Based Admission: Enrollment is selective and based solely on successful completion of an arts audition in the chosen discipline.
• College Counseling and Placement: The Dance Faculty, as noted by a parent, is very active and resourceful in guiding students through the college decision process, a service likely extended across all arts disciplines.
• Student Success Program: Funded by the NOCCA Foundation, this program helps students with costs like classroom supplies and fees for important summer training programs across the country, particularly supporting students from low-income households.
• Artists-in-Residence Program: Brings over 100 professional visiting artists into NOCCA's classrooms annually, broadening and diversifying the curriculum and often offering workshops open to non-NOCCA students.
• Public Programming: The NOCCA Foundation oversees public events, including concerts, gallery exhibitions, and literary series, allowing visiting artists and student talent to be shared with the wider community.
• Campus Rentals: The NOCCA campus facilities are available for rent by arts organizations, individuals, corporations, and other groups, generating revenue that supports the school.

Features / Highlights:

• World-Class Arts Education: NOCCA's primary highlight is its reputation as a world-class arts conservatory, providing unparalleled training in a diverse range of artistic disciplines.
• Exceptional Alumni Network: The school boasts an impressive roster of highly successful alumni, including Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Harry Connick, Jr., Terence Blanchard, Wendell Pierce, and Anthony Mackie, demonstrating the effectiveness of its programs.
• Holistic Student Development: Beyond artistic skill, NOCCA instills discipline, responsibility, creativity, and problem-solving skills, preparing students for productive lives regardless of their chosen career path.
• Tuition-Free Access: The fact that this high-caliber arts education is tuition-free for Louisiana residents makes it uniquely accessible and equitable for talented students from all socio-economic backgrounds.
• Dedicated and Resourceful Faculty: Customer reviews highlight the dedication of the faculty, particularly in the Dance program, who invest significant time and effort into their students' development and future college decisions.
• Strong Academic Integration (Academic Studio): The full-day Academic Studio provides a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum alongside intensive arts training, offering a comprehensive high school experience.
• Vibrant Campus and Community: The school fosters a supportive and motivating environment where artistic students, often seen as "weird" elsewhere, find belonging and mutual support, leading to a "family" like atmosphere in departments.
• Imaginative Public Events: As noted by a customer who attended the "Last Dinner on the Titanic" event, NOCCA frequently hosts creative and fun public programming showcasing student and visiting artist talent.
• High College and Conservatory Placement Rates: A remarkable 95-98% of NOCCA graduates go on to college and conservatory programs, with approximately 80% receiving scholarships.

Contact Information:

Address: 2800 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA

Phone: (504) 940-2787

Mobile Phone: +1 504-940-2787

General Email: frontdesk@nocca.com

For locals in Louisiana, the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) is an extraordinary and highly suitable educational institution for several compelling reasons. Firstly, its commitment to providing tuition-free, pre-professional arts training is a game-changer for families across the state. This accessibility ensures that financial barriers do not prevent talented and motivated young artists from pursuing their dreams and receiving a top-tier education. For parents seeking a specialized and rigorous program that truly nurtures their child's artistic potential, NOCCA stands out as a premier choice.

Secondly, the depth and breadth of its arts disciplines are unmatched. Whether a student's passion lies in dance, culinary arts, jazz music, creative writing, or visual arts, NOCCA offers intensive, focused instruction by experienced professionals. This allows students to immerse themselves deeply in their chosen art form, often leading to rapid skill development and a profound understanding of their craft. The option of the Academic Studio also provides a seamless, integrated high school experience, combining robust academics with their artistic pursuits, preparing them thoroughly for college and beyond.

Finally, the strong sense of community and the track record of alumni success make NOCCA an incredibly attractive option. Students thrive in an environment where their artistic inclinations are celebrated, and they are surrounded by like-minded peers and supportive faculty who are genuinely invested in their future. The extensive network of successful NOCCA graduates serves as an inspiration and a testament to the quality of the education received. For any Louisiana family with a child demonstrating creative talent, NOCCA offers a unique pathway to artistic excellence, personal growth, and a bright future, right here in the heart of New Orleans.

New Orleans Center for Creative Arts

2800 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA