Julia Heath

As Policy & Outreach Manager for the New Orleans Mayor’s Office of Nighttime Economy, Julia Heath leads efforts to strengthen the city’s music ecosystem through venue support, workforce development, and cultural policy innovation. Her portfolio includes the design and launch of the Tune-Up Grant Program, a first-of-its-kind initiative supporting venue sound management and audio workforce training, and the New Orleans Music Census, which surveyed over 1,500 respondents to inform long-term industry strategy.

With a background in independent venue operations, festival production, and national music policy, Julia has worked across sectors to support sustainable, equitable music economies. She previously helped secure $150M in federal relief for California’s independent venues and currently manages programs that support original music, music business education, and culturally significant performance spaces in New Orleans.

Julia also serves on the board of NITECAP (Nighttime Economy Culture & Policy Alliance), a national network of practitioners advancing safe, vibrant nighttime economies. She is committed to building bridges between government, artists, and industry and to ensuring that music remains a viable, celebrated career path in New Orleans and beyond.