New Orleans Center for Creative Arts

New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) is a pre-professional training arts center. NOCCA offers intensive instruction in culinary arts, visual arts, creative writing, drama, musical theatre, theatre design, media arts such as filmmaking, audio production, and classical, jazz, or vocal music. NOCCA was founded in 1973 and opened in 1974 by educators, artists, community leaders, and business people who wished to promote young talent in the area. NOCCA's alumni include Wynton Marsalis, Branford, Harry Connick Jr., Jeanne-Michele Charbonnet, Wendell Pierce, Anthony Mackie, Mary Catherine Garrison, and Gary Solomon Jr. In the last few decades, 95 to 98% of NOCCA students attend college or conservatory programs nationwide. 80% of NOCCA graduates receive scholarship support to continue their studies. NOCCA's success is attributed to the discipline and responsibility it instills in students, which prepares them to live meaningful lives as adults, regardless of their careers. Tuition-free NOCCA programs are available by audition. Our annual application process for the next academic year starts each fall. The deadline for entry is spring. You can also apply for full-day, half-day, and after-school instruction. More information is available in our Admissions page.

The reviews highly praise the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA) arts and academic institution. Most parents and students state that the learning environment is excellent and particularly supportive and enriching. The strongly agree that faculty, who are devoted experts in their fields, including dance and other arts, invest their all in students' success. The facility has been described as a hub for talented and intellectual kids focused. Their kindness and welcome make earning enjoyable. Since the environment is urban and well maintained, a learning space is serene and conducive to creativity. NOCCA is a gift to Louisiana, one that offers a complete arts and academic experience, adds character to the community, and is New Orleans' pride. There are inspiring wishes to be in the institution. Thus, arts-oriented reviews suggest it as among the most preferred for those interested in the arts. It is a lively school and meets its goal of creating an environment unique to dedicated artists. These say that it is a school where kids can express or show their artistic potential and that the creativity that it attracts to the school comes in a clean place and enriches the students there.