Photo credit: Empty stage (Photo by Barry Weatherall on Unsplash)

Save Our Stages Act passed as part of Coronavirus relief package

$15 billion will be granted towards theaters and cultural institutions.

Sophie Thomas
Sophie Thomas

Following calls for federal aid to be granted to those in the theater industry, the Save Our Stages Act has been passed. As part of a $900 billion stimulus package, $15 billion will be dedicated to entertainment venues that have been shut down since March.

As reported in Variety, Senator Chuck Schumer said: "I am especially pleased that this bill will provide money for bars and restaurants, and $15 billion in SBA grants for theatre operators and small venue owners through the Save Our Stages Act. These venues are so important to my state and many states across the country —they are the lifeblood of our communities. They were first to close, and will be the last to open. The bill gives them a fighting chance."

The Save Our Stages Act has been in talks since July 2020, aiming to secure grants for venues whose employees cannot work as shows are cancelled. It's part of a larger stimulus bill to provide pandemic unemployment assistance. National Independent Venue Association president Dayna Frank stating the bill will "help the millions of people who lost their jobs through no fault of their own during this economic crisis."

Currently, all Broadway theatres are closed to May 30, 2021, with hopes that Broadway shows will reopen in fall 2021.

Photo credit: Empty stage (Photo by Barry Weatherall on Unsplash)

 

Originally published on

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