On September 1, we encourage arts and cultural venues to participate in #WeMakeEvent's day of action and visibility: #RedAlertRESTART "when buildings, structures, and residences will be lit in red from 9pm-12am (local time in each market) as the event rolls across North America. The goal to raise public awareness that the Live Events Industry is on Red Alert for its very survival, and create congressional pressure to act now." 

The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) that represents live music venues and promoters put out the following statement in support of the Save our Stages Act:

"Independent 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 permanently without additional financial assistance. If ticket sales do not resume until 2021, the industry will have lost an estimated $9 billion in ticket sales alone. The Save Our Stages Act:

• Establishes a $10 billion grant program for live venue operators, promoters, producers and talent representatives
• Directs the Small Business Administrator to make grants to eligible recipients equal to the lesser of either 45% of gross revenue from 2019 or $12 million
• Allows the Small Business Administrator to issue supplemental grants in the future if funding remains available and applicants can demonstrate continued need
• Permits recipients to use grants for costs incurred during the COVID pandemic
• Permits recipients to use grants for rent, utilities, mortgage obligations, PPE procurement, payments to contractors, regular maintenance, administrative costs, taxes, operating leases, and capital expenditures related to meeting state, local, or federal social distancing guidelines
• The Save Our Stages Act is endorsed by (NIVA) and the National Independent Talent Organization (NITO).

This is our final push to Congress and there won’t be another opportunity. We NEED the #SaveOurStagesAct and the #RestartAct passed in order to keep independent venues nationwide from closing permanently."

The arts and cultural sector of Massachusetts includes for profit and nonprofit organizations as well as artists, culture workers, creatives and administrators.  Our vibrancy and economic value to the Commonwealth is directly related to our diversity. Massachusetts cannot afford to lose live music and performance venues.  We encourage arts and cultural advocates and supporters to reach out to your Senators and members of Congress to support Save Our Stages and CREATE Act.

Via Americans for the Arts:

"On July 27, U.S. Senate Republicans released their proposal for the next COVID-19 relief bill - the HEALS Act (an acronym for "Health, Economic Assistance, Liability protection, Schools"). Now, crucial negotiations will take place in the coming days to move the legislation through the Senate in a way that will allow a compromise bill with the HEROES Act which the House approved in May." 

Contact Congress and urge support for the arts in COVID-19 relief legislation.

1. Look up your Members of Congress HERE. 
2. Prepare what you’re going to say over the phone. You can use our TEMPLATE.
3. Call your Members of Congress.
4. Report your call to MASSCreative HERE. It will only take a few minutes and this information is crucial to informing MASSCreative’s future advocacy actions.

TEMPLATE:

Hi. My name is ____________ and I live in _____________. I’m calling to thank Senator/Congressman/Congresswoman ____________________ for keeping public health and safety a priority during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I’m also calling because I’m an artist/arts advocate/parent/work at [insert cultural institution] and I’m concerned about the arts & cultural community’s ability to recover. Gov. Baker released his four-phase plan to reopen the Massachusetts economy, and it’s clear that it won’t be safe for most arts and cultural organizations and venues to reopen until Phase 3 or 4. 

The creative community will need significant resources in order to recover during and after these reopening phases. If we want arts and culture to exist after the public health emergency as an economic driver for our downtowns and a resource for community connection, we need government support to make sure they can exist on the other side of this pandemic.  

I know that the House just passed the Heroes Act, which includes additional funding through Small Business Association emergency loans, unemployment insurance, Community Development Block Grants, the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities, and the Institute for Museum and Library Services. Please do everything you can to see these provisions advanced by the Senate and continue to advocate for arts and cultural organizations, artists, and independent contractors in all government stimulus, emergency funding, and economic recovery efforts.

Via New England Aquarium:

Ask Congress to support emergency relief funding for U.S. aquariums, zoos, and museums.

Via Association of Science and Technology Centers:

Here are a few key messages that members of ASTC and the American Alliance of Museums have been using in advocacy efforts related to the COVID-19 response.

Via National Humanities Alliance:

We are working with the Congressional Humanities Caucus to build support for this funding. Together, we are urging significant supplemental funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities to support: