In a city where music is not just entertainment but essential infrastructure, the small and mid-sized venues that host nightly performances are the beating heart of New Orleans. These spaces – often operating without the resources or recognition afforded to larger institutions – play an irreplaceable role in sustaining our cultural legacy and fueling our music ecosystem. The Tune-Up Grant Program is designed as both immediate relief and the first step in the Office of Nighttime Economy’s long-term strategy to strengthen the city’s music industry, offering targeted support to help venues enhance sound quality, address neighborhood concerns, and invest in the next generation of music industry professionals.

The program, developed in collaboration with Loyola’s Music Industry Studies program, will provide financial support and technical expertise to local venues, pairing students with industry operators through hands-on, site-based work. The application process will open Aug.15 through Sept. 15.

“New Orleans is home to the best music in the world and the experience of going to a show in this city should reflect that,” said Julia Heath of the Mayor’s Office of Nighttime Economy. “The Tune-Up Grant is one example of the City of New Orleans’ commitment to supporting our venues while providing hands-on opportunities to some of our city’s future music industry professionals. This is the kind of investment that will leave an impact for years to come and remind the world that New Orleans is not just music’s birthplace, it is the stage for music’s future.”

“The Tune-Up Grant Program not only supports musicians and venues, but also the neighborhoods surrounding those venues,” said City Councilmember Joseph Giarrusso, District A. “Enhancing sound quality while reducing disruption to residents ensures a more cohesive and sustainable future for what our City is known for: live music. I am proud to have shepherded this cause in the 2025 City budget.”

Through a partnership with Loyola University, students enrolled in a new Audio Technology and Production course will conduct sound assessments for selected venues. These assessments will culminate in tailored sound abatement plans, including strategies to optimize internal sound quality and minimize external noise bleed, two of the most common challenges facing small venues.

“Experiential learning is at the heart of what we do in Loyola’s School of Music & Theatre Professions,” said Kate Duncan, Director of Loyola’s School of Music & Theatre Professions. “Our students are amply prepared to tackle what the world throws at them when they ‘learn by doing,’ so it’s doubly an honor to partner with City offices in the support of New Orleans’ greatest export: musical talent. Loyola’s Music Industry graduates can be found working in every space in the city because of partnerships like this and we’re pleased to take it to the next level by assisting our greater musical community!”

The Tune-Up Grant Program consists of two parts:

• Venue consultations by live sound experts from Loyola’s Music Industry Studies program

• Capital improvement grants, offering up to $5,000 for sound mitigation projects

Eligible expenses include:

• Acoustic panels and sound-absorbing treatments

• Decibel monitoring systems

• Outdoor sound barriers

• Speaker upgrades and volume limiters

• Insulation and window coverings

The program is open to live music venues operating within New Orleans that host regular performances and maintain all required licenses. Venues must complete a consultation before being eligible for capital improvement funds.

Eight venues will be selected in this pilot round, with student site visits beginning in September and virtual follow-ups scheduled shortly after. Program guidelines and applications are available at www.nola.gov/night.