Shuttered Venue Operator Grant Program

Shuttered Venue Operator Grant Program

Under the new Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020 signed into law on December 27, 2020, the Small Business Administration will disburse $15 billion in grants to shuttered venues. Venues may receive grants equal to 45 percent of their gross earned revenue, with a maximum amount of $10 million. There is $2 billion set aside for venues with less than 50 full-time employees.

APPLICATIONS OPEN APRIL 8, 2021. View the SBA Form to begin preparing your application.

Eligibility

• Live venue operators or promoters
• Theatrical producers
• Live performing arts organization operators
• Relevant museum operators, zoos and aquariums who meet specific criteria
• Motion picture theater operators
• Talent representative
• Must have been in operation as of February 29, 2020
• May not have received a Paycheck Protection Program loan on or after December 27, 2020

Some businesses may also be eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program or Economic Injury Disaster Loan. To see if you are cross program eligible, view the SBA’s criteria here.

Additional guidelines will be released.

Application Schedule

The grant is not yet accepting applications. The SBA has established the following schedule to prioritize businesses with the greatest economic loss.

• First Priority (first 14 days): entities with 90 percent or greater revenue loss between April and December 2020
• Second Priority (next 14 days following the first round) entities with 70 percent or greater revenue loss between April and December 2020
• Third Priority (28 days after first and second priorities): entities with a 25 percent or greater revenue loss between one quarter of 2019 and the same quarter in 2020
• Supplemental funding: Recipients of First, Second, and Third Priority round awards who suffered a 70 percent or greater revenue loss for the most recent calendar quarter

Funds

Funds may be used for specific expenses, which include:

• Payroll
• Rent
• Utilities
• Mortgage payment (excluding prepayment of principal)
• State and local taxes
• Insurance payments
• Advertising and capital expenditures related to producing a performance
• Personal Protective Equipment