The global economy continues to be shrouded in uncertainty, thanks to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. And the independent live entertainment industry has taken a major hit due to venue closures and bans on public gatherings around the U.S.
Now, industry leaders have created a foundation to help save local establishments that are at risk of closing their doors for good.
Newark Symphony Hall CEO and President Taneshia Nash Laird, a self-proclaimed “change agent," has been appointed to the eight-person board of the newly-created National Independent Venue Foundation (NIVF); a non-profit organization equipped with the mission to “preserve and nurture the ecosystem of independent live performance venues and promoters throughout the United States.”
Laird, a West Windsor resident, is the only New Jersey board member for the advocacy foundation.
“I miss being able to go see live music,” Laird told NJ Advance Media, Wednesday. “And right now...it’s very possible that the live music industry does not survive beyond the pandemic.”
NIVF is an extension of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), which reports that 90% of independent venue owners, promoters and bookers believe they will soon have to shut down permanently, without government intervention, according to a survey it conducted earlier this year.
The new foundation’s primary focus is its emergency relief fund, raising money for the most vulnerable venues across the nation — including places here in New Jersey. In October, NIVA hosted the “Save Our Stages” virtual concert series to raise awareness for the cause; where artists like The Roots and Miley Cyrus performed at impacted establishments around the country.
It has also championed COVID-19 relief legislation in Congress, promoting the “Save Our Stages” Act, which would authorize the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) to make grants to eligible live venue operators, producers, promoters, or talent representatives to address the economic effects of the pandemic on certain live venues. Both New Jersey Senators have signed on to the bill that was introduced back in July.
“In order for our world to look the way it looked like before the pandemic, the issues related to venues have to be addressed,” Laird said. “And I’m just hoping that we can help amplify that. Because I do feel unfortunately, initially, that venues were being lost in the conversation.
Laird, who serves as the only Black female leader of a New Jersey performing arts center, says she wants to help create more opportunities in the industry for businesses run by people of color, which have been projected to be hit the hardest by the pandemic.
“It’s about economic development, it’s about undeserved communities, it’s about people of color. That’s why I’m here. That’s the reason I represent,” Laird said.
In her role at Newark Symphony Hall, she oversees plans to restore the nearly century-old concert hall in a $40 million renovation, slated to begin next year. The project is set to create 500 construction jobs and opportunities for 50 small businesses. Laird is also co-author of ”Still I Rise: A Graphic History of African Americans.”
Tennyson Donyèa may be reached at tcoleman@njadvancemedia.com.
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November 21, 2020 at 05:00AM
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