U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Gets the Job Done Providing Support for Wisconsin’s Independent Live Music Venues Hit by Pandemic

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bipartisan legislation supported by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin to provide $15 billion in relief for independent venues —including live music stages, movie theaters, and museums shuttered by the pandemic — is included in the coronavirus relief package that has now been signed into law.

The Save Our Stages Act provides the Small Business Administration (SBA) with grants for independent live music venue operators affected by COVID-19. These grants will provide six months of financial support to keep venues afloat, pay employees, and preserve a critical economic sector for communities across America.  

“Wisconsin is home to the World’s Largest Music Festival and many exceptional theaters, concert venues, performing arts centers and places of entertainment. These institutions help our communities thrive and we must ensure they’re around for years to come,” said Senator Baldwin. “Because of the ongoing pandemic, our entertainment venues are really struggling to survive. This will bring much-needed relief to help Wisconsin’s independent live music venue operators and their workers get through this economic crisis, and I’m glad to see Congress was able to get it done.”

Small live music and entertainment venues have been hard-hit during the coronavirus pandemic, with 90 percent of venue owners, promoters, and bookers reporting they are at risk of closing without additional financial assistance and an estimated $9 billion in losses should ticket sales not resume until 2021.

The Save Our Stages Act was led by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Cornyn (R-TX) and endorsed by the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), National Independent Talent Organization (NITO), National Association of Theater Owners (NATO), Association of Performing Arts Professionals, Music Biz, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Recording Academy, American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), and Broadway League.