The National Independent Venue Association is advocating for hundreds of venues across the US
As income for venues across the US remains at a standstill under the pandemic, upwards of 1000 spaces across the US have banded together to form the new coalition, also known as NIVA.
Among the growing list of charter members are DC’s 9:30 Club and The Anthem, First Avenue in Minneapolis, Minty Boi Presents, Dig Deeper and Zebulon in LA and New York clubs Elsewhere and Knockdown Center. Since the organization’s inception in March, the Washington DC lobbying firm Akin Gump has stepped up to legally represent the group.
Gary Witt, founding member and Pabst Theater Group CEO, says, “Most of us have gone from our best year ever to a dead stop in revenues, but our expenses and overhead are still real, and many will not make it without help. Our employees, the artists and the fans need us to act. But we are also an important income generator for those around us, bringing revenue to area restaurants, bars, hotels and retail shops. Our contributions to the tax base far exceed our ticket sales.”
Last month, NIVA addressed a letter to Congress, requesting specific funding programs to support the industry through the duration of the pandemic. The desired outcome from federal support is that music venues will “survive the crisis, reopen in the future and once again contribute to the economic revival of our communities.”
Venues can sign up for a free NIVA membership here.
Write a letter to your legislator in support of NIVA here.
