Money is available starting today to ensure that live music will continue in New Orleans despite venues shuttered for the past year. The business owners in New Orleans who struggled to reopen during the pandemic, can now apply for the Shutter Venue Operator Grant.
“That program opens today,” said New Orleans Economic Development Director Jeff Schwartz. “And businesses are clamoring for it.”
However Schwartz fears there won’t be enough money to go around.
“We cannot emphasize enough to our over 150 to 200 live music venues in the city this grant is for you… it is a direct grant… it is not a forgivable loan,” said Schwartz.
Owners and operators of live music venues can apply for the grant money at Nola.gov/musicrelief