NEW ORLEANS — The Mayor’s Office of Nighttime Economy is proud to announce the first nine awardees of the Tune-Up Grant Program, a new initiative designed to help New Orleans’ live music venues improve sound management and strengthen the city’s music ecosystem while creating pathways for workforce development. The program received an overwhelming number of applicants, demonstrating a clear need for future expansion.
The inaugural grant recipients are:
- Chickie Wah Wah
- Anna’s
- D.b.a.
- Café Negril
- Banks Street Bar
- Original Nite Cap
- Kermit’s Treme Mother-in-Law Lounge
- AllWays Lounge & Cabaret
- Neutral Ground Coffee House
Through a first of its kind partnership with Loyola University New Orleans’ Music Industry Studies program, the Tune-Up Grant Program pairs participating venues with student audio engineers who will provide site visits, sound assessments, and customized recommendations. This hands-on collaboration offers Loyola students invaluable real-world experience while building a local pipeline of skilled professionals ready to support New Orleans’ live music industry.
“Partnering with Loyola University has been an incredibly exciting part of this work,” said Julia E. Heath, Policy and Outreach Manager for the Mayor’s Office of Nighttime Economy. “We see this as just the beginning of many more programs that directly connect our city’s emerging workforce with real opportunities in the local music industry. The Tune Up Grant shows what’s possible when we align education, small business support, and cultural preservation around a shared goal of strengthening New Orleans’ music industry.”
“The City of New Orleans is home to the best musicians in the world, and we owe it to their talent to ensure that our venues deliver the best possible sound quality,” said Michael Ince, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Nighttime Economy. “As we improve the sound quality within our venues, we also strengthen the relationship between venue operators and their neighbors- creating the foundation for more live entertainment opportunities and additional permits to be approved citywide. ”
In the next phase of the program, each venue will receive an on-site sound consultation with Loyola students, guided by faculty experts. Following these reports, venues will be eligible for capital improvement funding of up to $5,000 to implement recommendations—whether through new sound equipment, structural improvements, or other mitigation measures.
The Tune Up Grant Program is the first of its kind in New Orleans, bridging business support, community quality of life, and workforce development. By strengthening the technical backbone of live music venues, the program ensures that music can continue to thrive in neighborhoods across the city while offering a new generation of students the chance to build careers in the industry.
For more information, email Julia Heath, Mayor’s Office of Nighttime Economy at julia.heath@nola.gov.