Small Music Venues are Sending out an SOS with the Save Our Stages Act!
Small Music Venues Are Sending Out An SOS With the “Save Our Stages Act”
COVID-19 has left many businesses in distress, and the live music industry has suffered leading to hundreds of venues closing their doors. Senator Amy Klobuchar, D- Minnesota, and Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, have introduced a bill to the senate called the ‘Save Our Stages’ Act. This bipartisan bill would provide $10 billion in funding over the next six months to many venues, promoters, talent representatives and their staffs all across the United States. While this would only be short-time relief, it could save a lot of local venues by helping with the costs of maintaining the rent, utilities, maintenance, salaries and more with these grants.
Without this bill being passed, some of our favorite venues will continue to be negatively affected by the pandemic to never open again. The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is a group of about 2,000 independent venues across the U.S. that are organizing the #SaveOurStages movement. They estimate that 90% of independent venues would have to close in six months without federal assistance. Small venues are the heart of the music scene in so many towns in the United States, being a home to many local artists, touring artists and providing jobs for the local economy.
Looking for ways to get involved? Visit https://www.saveourstages.com/ and fill out the pre-written form to write to your legislators.
If approved by the Republican-controlled Senate, the bill will move to the House before heading to President Trump for the ultimate approval.
Become part of the movement! Post your photos and videos of support on social media for the Save Our Stages Act with the hashtag #SaveOurStages to spread the word to other musicians and music lovers.
Making a Scene Supports this effort and will be providing our largest ad for FREE, that will connect Directly to their legislation contact form to add your voice to the movement!
Save our Stages Act Provides
Establishes a $10 billion grant program for live venue operators, promoters, producers and talent representatives
Directs the Small Business Administrator to make grants to eligible recipients equal to the lesser of either 45% of gross revenue from 2019 or $12 million
Allows the Small Business Administrator to issue supplemental grants in the future if funding remains available and applicants can demonstrate continued need
Permits recipients to use grants for costs incurred during the COVID pandemic
Permits recipients to use grants for rent, utilities, mortgage obligations, PPE procurement, payments to contractors, regular maintenance, administrative costs, taxes, operating leases, and capital expenditures related to meeting state, local, or federal social distancing guidelines
