Statement from the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA)

Summary

Statement from the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) dated April 23, 2021, on the Small Business Administration reopening the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application portal tomorrow at 12:30pm EDT. The statement quotes Audrey Fix Schaefer, NIVA board member and communications director, saying small businesses are receiving eviction notices while $16 billion has been waiting. The statement says the grant was signed into law December 27, 2020, and that 90 percent of NIVA members said they would be forced to shutter forever without SVOG. The statement says NIVA now represents more than 3,000 venues, promoters, and festivals in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

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              Statement from the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA)
                   RE: SBA Reopening the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
                                     Application Portal


April 23, 2021 – The National Independent Venue Association is grateful that the Small Business Administration
will reopen the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application portal tomorrow at 12:30pm EDT, as we
have been advocating for emergency relief for thousands of small businesses that have had no revenue for 13
months and cannot wait any longer.

“Simply put, this is emergency relief that can’t come too soon,” said Audrey Fix Schaefer, NIVA board member
and communications director. “Every single day that passes small business are receiving eviction notices, all
the while $16 billion has been waiting for them. This is a lifeline for thousands of independent venues and
promoters in big towns and in small communities across the nation. When you’ve had revenue losses of more
than 90 percent and are in fear of going under, having the opportunity to apply for the grant is a relief, no matter
what day of the week it is. We’re thankful our members won’t have to wait much longer.

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (fka Save Our Stages Act) earned extensive bipartisan support and was
signed into law December 27, 2020. Without SVOG, 90 percent of NIVA members said they would be forced to
shutter forever, creating a mass collapse of the industry.

The SBA has provided updated materials: SVOG Application Form and SVOG User's Guide.

Media contact: Audrey Fix Schaefer, audrey@930.com




ABOUT NIVA

Formed at the onset of the COVID-19 shutdown, the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), now represents more
than 3,000 venues, promoters, and festivals in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. NIVA, a 501(c)6, created and led the
#SaveOurStages campaign, resulting in landmark legislation establishing the “Shuttered Venue Operators" Grant program
to be administered by the Small Business Administration. NIVA's mission is to preserve and nurture the ecosystem of
independent live venues, promoters and festivals throughout the United States. The National Independent Venue
Foundation (NIVF) was founded as a 501(c)3 to further this mission by also seeking to support a transparent, competitive
marketplace serving a diverse and inclusive community of artists, fans, and industry workers. The NIVA Emergency Relief
Fund directly supports the preservation of the independent live entertainment ecosystem that presents music, comedy,
and the performing arts, helping these critical spaces survive through the Coronavirus pandemic. Individuals, foundations,
businesses, and organizations that are interested in financially supporting NIVA, NIVF, or the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund
should visit nivassoc.org/donate. NIVA is committed to equity in its support and advocacy for independent venues, and
seeks to create and encourage opportunities for venues, promoters, and festivals owned, operated, and staffed by people
of color, women, non-binary, LGBTQ+, veterans, and people with disabilities.


NIVA | National Independent Venue Association                                             nivassoc.org | saveourstages.com


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