|
July 13, 2023 - - Live Music Society, the nonprofit foundation that has provided $3 million in grants to support 143 small venues and listening rooms across the United States since 2020, was awarded the Community Development Award at the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) ‘23 conference and gala in Washington, D.C. this week. Presented by Kelsey Kaufmann, owner of Cactus Club, Milwaukee: "The NIVA Community Development Award is presented to an organization that created a program or initiative that improves the music, comedy, theater, and/or performing arts ecosystem in their neighborhood, community, or state.” Live Music Society was recognized for its crucial new Music in Action Grant program, allowing small performance venues to transform their creative ideas into a material reality and providing a much-needed resource for small venues to thrive and make their operations more financially sustainable.
Live Music Society made a significant impact at NIVA ‘23 through multiple activations. Notable moments included a panel discussion titled "The Supersized Impact of Small Music Venues," which brought together influential stakeholders from the small venue community. The session delved into the joys and challenges experienced by small venues under 300 capacity, including artist and workforce development, inclusivity, marketing shows, and fostering community engagement. A highlight was the organization’s sponsorship of a night at D.C. venue Pie Shop, part of NIVA’s Salute to Small Venues. The concert featured rising star artists Speedy Ortiz and Massie and provided an informal mixer for attendees to connect and network. To further enhance the conference experience, Live Music Society created the Live Music Society Cantina, a working lounge open throughout the first day of the conference that also hosted a roundtable discussion with Manny Lamarre, Senior Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Labor, as he outlined the Biden Administration's workforce development priorities and took questions from conference attendees on how to create a pipeline of workers for the live entertainment industry.
"Attending the NIVA conference was such a privilege, and provided a vital platform to connect with our community. Convening with dedicated venue owners in person was an invaluable experience that reaffirms the importance of our work. The conference served as a powerful testament to the strong sense of community that thrives within the music industry, and the connection and camaraderie felt throughout the event were truly uplifting." - Pete Muller, Founder of Live Music Society
Live Music Society just announced their Music In Action grant, totaling $500,000 and distributed to 17 for-profit and nonprofit small venues, to help venue owners and managers in developing and implementing creative ideas to engage their communities, expand audiences, and generate new revenue sources. Initially established to provide pandemic relief, Live Music Society has introduced the Music in Action grant to create an ongoing opportunity for small performance venues to thrive. The grant promotes inclusivity, bolstering the long-term economic vitality of the communities it serves while championing historically marginalized groups including BIPOC, Latinx, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities.
Read more about the new grant at Billboard and learn more about all 17 venue’s funded programs here: https://www.livemusicsociety.org/grantees
|
