Event Details
On September 17-18, 2026, The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans will host the NOLA Water Summit 2026: Keep Ya Head Up at the Dew Drop Inn, bringing together community leaders, residents, artists, entrepreneurs, researchers, public officials, and advocates committed to building a thriving Gulf Coast.
This year's The Summit creates a platform to examine the interconnected environmental and social challenges facing the region, elevate solutions, and center the voices of those most impacted. The program was designed in partnership with the Brackish Artists Collective, a six-week program of The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans designed for local artists exploring water relationships, climate resilience, and environmental advocacy
Inspired by songs from Preservation Hall featuring Pell and Tupac Shakur, Keep Ya Head Up reflects the nuance of living in modern New Orleans: confronting difficult realities while continuing to move forward together. Rooted in the wisdom of Indigenous communities, river cultures, and generations of Black, Creole, and immigrant residents, the Summit explores how communities cultivate hope, belonging, and determination while confronting uncertainty, with water at the heart of the conversation.