Mayoral Forum on Cultural Policy September 9
On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, The Ella Project will present the Mayoral Forum on Cultural Policy. This public event will bring together candidates in the upcoming mayoral election to share their visions for the future of arts and culture in New Orleans.
Moderators will include John Stanton, editor of The Gambit; Don Bartholomew, musician and producer; and Ashlye Keaton, co-founder of The Ella Project.
Topics include:
Effectiveness of Nighttime Economy Offices
Removing barriers to permitting
Support for street parades and neighborhood festivals as both an economic driver and quality of life issue.
Examples of work to support emerging local talent through professional development and live performance spaces with friendly policies.
Opportunities for collaboration with other cities and regions around sharing resources, including economic analysis, policy development and innovative programming.
Opportunities around export programs for music, i.e. reviving the Music Ambassadors Program and other models
Effective use of 311 and proactive solutions to neighbor/venue disputes.
Workable tax incentives for small venues with regular live music performances.
Tuesday September 9 2:00 to 3:30
New Orleans Jazz Museum
400 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA
and streaming on Facebook
The event is free and open to the public (RSVP requested) and will also be livestreamed on The Ella Project Facebook page.
