For the music venue owners, theater producers and cultural institutions that have suffered through the pandemic with no business, the coronavirus relief package that congressional leaders agreed to this week offers the prospect of aid at last: it
includes $15 billion to help them weather a crisis that has closed theaters and
silenced halls.
The money, part of a $900 billion coronavirus relief package, is designed to help the
culture sector — from dive-bar rock clubs to Broadway theaters and museums
— survive. Many small proprietors described it as their last hope for being able to
remain in business after a nearly yearlong revenue drought.
“This is what our industry needs to make it through,” said Dayna Frank, the owner
of First Avenue, a storied music club in Minneapolis. She is also the board president
of the National Independent Venue Association, which was formed in April and has
lobbied Congress aggressively for relief for its more than 3,000 members.
As the news of the deal began to trickle out on Sunday night, a collective sigh of
relief ricocheted through group text messages and social media posts. “Last night
was the first time I have smiled in probably nine months,” Ms. Frank said. Broadway theaters, which have been closed since March, applauded the relief
package.
“We are grateful for this bipartisan agreement which will provide immediate relief
across our industry and a lifeline to the future,” Charlotte St. Martin, the president of
the Broadway League, the trade organization for producers and theater owners,
said in a statement.
includes $15 billion to help them weather a crisis that has closed theaters and
silenced halls.
The money, part of a $900 billion coronavirus relief package, is designed to help the
culture sector — from dive-bar rock clubs to Broadway theaters and museums
— survive. Many small proprietors described it as their last hope for being able to
remain in business after a nearly yearlong revenue drought.
“This is what our industry needs to make it through,” said Dayna Frank, the owner
of First Avenue, a storied music club in Minneapolis. She is also the board president
of the National Independent Venue Association, which was formed in April and has
lobbied Congress aggressively for relief for its more than 3,000 members.
As the news of the deal began to trickle out on Sunday night, a collective sigh of
relief ricocheted through group text messages and social media posts. “Last night
was the first time I have smiled in probably nine months,” Ms. Frank said. Broadway theaters, which have been closed since March, applauded the relief
package.
“We are grateful for this bipartisan agreement which will provide immediate relief
across our industry and a lifeline to the future,” Charlotte St. Martin, the president of
the Broadway League, the trade organization for producers and theater owners,
said in a statement.
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