Located at 100 Lafayette Street in downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the Shaw Center for the Arts is a stunning 125,000-square-foot performing art venue, fine arts museum, and education center. Opened in 2005, this award-winning facility features a unique exterior skin crafted from translucent channel glass imported from Germany. It offers you a rich cultural experience built through generous public and private support.
Inside, you can explore the LSU Museum of Art, which showcases a diverse art collection, changing exhibitions, and the largest assemblage of Newcomb Pottery in the United States. You can also visit the LSU School of Art Glassell Gallery to admire works by contemporary national artists, LSU students, and faculty. For entertainment, the center houses the 325-seat Manship Theatre, a venue hosting concerts, theater performances, musicals, dance recitals, and films.
Beyond the arts, the facility incorporates educational classrooms, a park, and Tsunami, a rooftop sushi restaurant where you can relax after exploring the galleries. Whether you want to view fine art or enjoy a show, it is a must-visit downtown destination.
What to see at Shaw Center for the Arts
- LSU Museum of Art featuring the largest U.S. collection of Newcomb Pottery
- 325-seat Manship Theatre for concerts, films, and live performances
- LSU School of Art Glassell Gallery exhibiting student, faculty, and contemporary works
- Award-winning architectural skin made of translucent German channel glass
- On-site park and Tsunami, a rooftop sushi restaurant
Visiting tips
Be sure to stop by the rooftop sushi restaurant, Tsunami, to enjoy a meal after taking in the gallery exhibitions and theater performances.
How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Afternoon
How to get there & what’s nearby
Shaw Center for the Arts is easy to reach on Baton Rouge’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Huey P. Long Bridge (Baton Rouge) and St. Joseph Cathedral. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Baton Rouge travel guide.
See the full Baton Rouge travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.