The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) formed during the pandemic to support independent performance venues and promoters. NIVA now encompasses over 3,000 independent venues in 50 states including Washington D.C. They’ve pressured the Small Business Administration to act. By the end of 2020, the Small Business Association (SBA) signed the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, the largest arts funding program in history with $16 billion dollars allocated for independent venues. It took months of lobbying to get the federal government’s attention, and in early June, when only 100 venues had received aid, the lobbying continued. In this audio exclusive, correspondent Janet Hernandez, an intern for The Laura Flanders Show, interviews Stephen Chilton, NIVA’s vice president and owner of the independent venue Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, AZ. What’s at stake when venues can’t reopen, and how will NIVA support the industry post-pandemic?

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Laura Flanders and Friends Crew:  Laura Flanders, Sabrina Artel, David Neuman, Nat Needham, Rory O'Conner, Janet Hernandez, Sarah Miller and Jeannie Hopper, Nady Pina, Jordan Flaherty

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