This week, Colorado’s US Senator John Hickenlooper brought independent venue operators together to discuss claims that 90% of venues would go out of business without federal aid, and to highlight a new relief program to help save our stages.
Yesterday at , applications open for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant to help struggling music and entertainment venues stay in business during the pandemic. The program was expanded under the recently passed American Rescue Plan and fills the gap in previous COVID relief funds that left many live venues out.
Earlier this week, Senator Hickenlooper visited Levitt Pavilion in Denver for a discussion with musicians and performing arts venue operators on the new program and the dire need.
“While many businesses have struggled to adapt during the pandemic, live venues have been shuttered for the last year,” Hickenlooper said. “A stunning 90% say they’ll be forced to close permanently without federal help. The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant helps prevent that awful result, and I encourage every Colorado venue to apply. Help is here.
The program, administered by the Small Business Administration, includes more than $16 billion in grants to shuttered venues. Eligible venues would qualify for grants equal to 45% of their pre-pandemic revenue up to $10 million. The program will prioritize truly small venues with less than 50 employees and those venues with the greatest loss.
More information in the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, including how to apply, is available on this website.