The Warehouse District, known today as the New Orleans Arts District, was originally established as an industrial area in the 19th century to store grain, coffee and produce shipped through the Port of New Orleans. As commerce, trade and industry practices evolved over time, the area's prosperity faded and the once busy streets became eerily quiet.

The transformation from an urban wasteland to what many have called “the SoHo of the South” began in 1976 with the opening of the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC). The 10,000-square-foot complex is still entertaining and enlightening visitors today with cutting edge-artwork and an eclectic array of music, theatre and dance performances.