The newly launched Curtains Up NYC initiative has been created to further help struggling performance arts venues, offering free application assistance in applying for the Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) grant program. Qualified entertainment businesses are eligible for these federal grants, which are an outgrowth of the Save Our Stages legislation. In creating the Curtains Up NYC program, city officials recognize that the grant applications process can be confusing and tedious.
Curtains Up NYC will provide free webinars and one-on-one counseling to help access the roughly 10 million dollars in the SVO grant pool.
“We are the greatest city in the world in large measure because art and culture runs through the veins of this city like no other place on earth and we are so proud of that,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said. “We have to bring this community back strong. Its been hit really hard by COVID, whether you are talking about the biggest cultural institutions down to the smallest community based cultural non-profit, its been really tough. We particularly need to bring back that most vibrant element of our culture, which is live performance, live theater, nightlife, music, concerts, all those things need to start coming back.”
According to the city, the businesses listed below qualify for the SVO grant and can seek help from Curtains Up NYC. Businesses must. have been operating as of February 29, 2020 and must not have applied for a PPP loan on or after December 27, 2020.
Operators or promoters of places that have live performances
Theater producers
Live Performing arts organizations
Museums, zoos and aquariums that meet certain guidelines
Movie theaters
Talent representatives
For more information, visit nyc.gov/CurtainsUpNYC.
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