Extended closures during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic is already forcing many restaurants, retailers and other small businesses to close their doors for good. Music venues have been particularly hard hit, so to help stem the tide of closures and potential closures, a new organization formed last month, the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) has been formed to take action. NIVA is a nationwide group of over 1,300 independent venues with a mission of “securing financial support to preserve the national ecosystem of independent venues and promoters” chiefly through tax relief and business recovery grants.
New York City members include Le Poisson Rouge, Arlene’s Grocery, City Winery, City Parks Foundation’s SummerStage, Hammerstein Ballroom, Knitting Factory, S.O.B’s, Bowery Ballroom and many more. The coalitions estimates that 90% of its member venues do not have the ability to last more than six months without federal intervention; a little more than half don’t have enough to last much longer at three months out. Music venues operate on low margins and are capital intensive, a combination that makes them especially vulnerable in times of disaster. As independent businesses, these owners have no revue once they’re shut down and patrons cease to come. And if these venues close, where will artists be able to play?
To find out more about NIVA and support the work, please visit https://www.nivassoc.org
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