Over 1000 venues in the US are taking part in this initiative.
In these uncertain times under the COVID-19 pandemic, independent music venues and promoters are coming together to advocate for the future of nightlife under a new organization: the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA).
NIVA represents 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, and over 1000 other venues. Since the organization’s inception in March, the Washington DC lobbying firm Akin Gump has stepped up to legally represent the group.
‘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’, says Gary Witt, founding member and Pabst Theater Group CEO.
Back in April, NIVA addressed a letter to the US Congress, soliciting specific funding programs to keep the industry on its feet through the duration of the scenario. If federal support is achieved, music venues will ‘survive the crisis, reopen in the future and once again contribute to the economic revival of our communities’.
Your venue can sign up for a free NIVA membership here, and write a letter to your legislator in support of the initiative here.
