The Helis Foundation offers free admission for Louisiana residents to cool off inside & enjoy the Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans Museum of Art, and Ogden Museum of Southern Art throughout August

**Admission is FREE Thursday, August 29**

To help Louisianans beat the heat, The Helis Foundation has again teamed up with some of New Orleans’ largest art institutions for the third year to offer free admission when temperatures hits 95 degrees. In partnership with WVUE-TV (FOX 8)’s meteorological team, The Helis Foundation announces the kickoff of “Art & AC” throughout the month of August. When FOX 8 meteorologists report the temperature has hit 95-degrees, Louisiana residents gain free admission to New Orleans Museum of Art, Ogden Museum of Southern Art and Contemporary Arts Center the following day, courtesy of The Helis Foundation. Last year, the award-winning initiative saw more than 5,500 people visit the museums over eight days.

“Summers in the South can be grueling—so we wanted to again offer a chance for Louisiana residents to cool off with their friends and families, while enjoying some of the region’s premier cultural institutions,” said Jessie Haynes, Managing Director, The Helis Foundation. “The Helis Foundation’s mission is to help advance access to the arts, and ‘Art & AC’ is a fun, unique way to open these museums to all Louisiana residents.”

In addition to air conditioning and blockbuster art exhibitions, visitors can expect fun giveaways like sunglasses, fans and water bottles to help keep cool during the summer heat.

The Helis Foundation is committed to providing access to New Orleans’ rich cultural heritage by underwriting free admission for all Louisiana residents at leading local institutions every week, all year long: New Orleans Museum of Art and the New Orleans Botanical Garden including The Helis Foundation Enrique Alférez Sculpture Garden every Wednesday; the Ogden Museum of Southern Art every Thursday; the Contemporary Arts Center every Sunday; and the Louisiana Children’s Museum once every other month.

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