LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 14, 2025) – Louisville Downtown Partnership (LDP) today announced the launch of Downtown Tunes, a new street piano program that will bring vibrancy to Downtown Louisville’s urban spaces starting this month. The program will place four custom-designed pianos in key outdoor locations across Downtown, designed to foster spontaneous musical expression, community connection, and creative placemaking. The pianos invite passersby to pause, play, and connect through shared musical experiences.
“What we see and hear has everything to do with how we feel about being in a space,” said Rebecca Fleischaker, LDP executive director. “Downtown Tunes adds an exciting element to our public spaces and will bring people together through these moments of connection that make our Downtown a special place.”
Available daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week (weather permitting) from May through October, the pianos are free and open to all. Each piano location takes advantage of oversized and under-programmed sidewalks and open areas in the Downtown core, transforming them into active and engaging environments.
“Activating public spaces is crucial to building a Louisville that is even safer, stronger, healthier and more welcoming for all,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg. “Downtown is everyone’s neighborhood, and I can’t wait to hear our talented musicians add piano music to the soundtrack of our city.”
The pianos will be stationed at the following Downtown Louisville locations throughout the season:
- PNC Plaza South, 101 S. 5th Street – “Symphony of Color” by Francis Parker School of Louisville
- Metro Hall CitySpot, 527 W. Jefferson Street – “Music Heals the Soul” by J. Graham Brown School
- Chase CitySpot, 320 W. Jefferson Street – “Cityscape | Country Life” by J. Graham Brown School
- Fourth Street Live!, 411 S. 4th Street – “Under the Sea” by Francis Parker School of Louisville
“Public art isn’t just about large murals on the sides of buildings. Like Alley Gallery or bike rack sculptures, it can be small, intimate experiences. Downtown Tunes is such a program,” said Councilman Ken Herndon, Metro Council, District 4. “Representing District 4 and Downtown, I am a champion of public art in all forms and am happy to celebrate this new addition to our public space.”
The pianos serve as both visual landmarks and interactive experiences, reinforcing Louisville’s identity as a city that values arts and culture. Each piano was hand-painted by middle and high school students from the J. Graham Brown School and Francis Parker School of Louisville. The students began designing and painting the pianos in the fall of 2024.
“Because our high school has been an integral part of the downtown area for nearly 50 years and we embrace the city as our extended campus, we were thrilled to participate in the Downtown Tunes program,” said Alexandra Thurstone, Head of School, Francis Parker School of Louisville. “Two of our Core Values—Community and Expression—came to life as our students created functional art pieces to beautify the city and for the public to enjoy and use.”
The four pianos were generously donated by Louisville residents Jennifer Brislin, Lance Gilbert, Monte LeGrand, and Steve Sizemore. Program sponsors include KPFF Consulting Engineers and Snowy Owl Foundation.
For more information on the Downtown Tunes program, visit louisvilledowntown.org/downtown-tunes. To access photos and a piano map, click here.