Support the Save our Stages Act and the RESTART Act

I write today in support of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) and ask you to please support and cosponsor S. 4258/H.R. 7806, the Save Our Stages Act, introduced by Senators Cornyn and Klobuchar, and S. 3814/H.R. 7481, the RESTART Act, introduced by Senators Young and Bennet in the Senate and Representatives Golden and Kelly in the House, both of which would ensure the survival of live performance venues across the nation. Small venues and performing arts centers were the first to close and will be the last to re-open. They arguably represent the industry hardest hit by the pandemic. They are completely shuttered small businesses in need of support in order to survive until it is safe to re-open. These venues are economic multipliers, community builders, educators, and beloved institutions, driving tens of millions in attendance each year. Sadly, they will have no revenues from ticket sales for some time. These venues drive significant spending at other businesses, as much as $12 for every dollar spent on a ticket in small music venues to $5 million a month in economic impact from larger regional centers. In cities and towns across America restaurants, bars, hotels, airports, taxis, and retail shops, our communities will suffer without these significant economic drivers. Closing our stages impact the entire live performance economy and ecosystem in America – artists, talent agents, stagehands, ushers, security, restaurants & concessions, artist managers, tour bus industry, production, radio/social media/tv/print advertising, record companies, and many others. Save our Stages is a critical bridge for independent venues to survive until they can re-open safely and successfully and start to inspire our country again. Thank you.