October 31, 2025 – New Orleans has been officially designated a “Creative City” for Music by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), joining only nine other U.S. cities and 407 member cities across 100 countries. The announcement, made Oct. 31 in Bogotá, Colombia, recognizes the city’s deep-rooted and globally influential music culture as a driving force for economic and social progress.
“This designation gives our musicians, music economy and our community prestigious global recognition and opportunities to connect and create impact with other international Creative Cities,” said Walter J. Leger III, president and CEO of New Orleans & Company.