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Hope for live venues struggling through COVID-19 closures came Sunday when President Donald Trump signed into law the latest economic stimulus bill — which includes the $15 billion Save Our Stages Act meant to support theaters and other performing arts institutions.
While some venues around Fort Worth have been able to reopen, one of the biggest, Bass Performance Hall, has remained closed since March.
In response to the passage of the bill, Bass Hall released the following statement on Monday: "The Save Our Stages Act will provide much needed assistance to live event venues and cultural institutions. Theater and live performances were some of the first industries to close and will be some of the last to return. This assistance will help ensure these institutions will be around to contribute to the culture of our communities and employ thousands of arts workers when reopening is safe and possible."
Texas Sen. John Cornyn and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar first introuced the Save Our Stages Act in July. According to the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), it may take several weeks or months before venues receive their funding. NIVA has put together an Implementation Task Force and is working with the Small Business Administration on the dispersement of funds.
