Applications for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grants program through the US Small Business Administration (SBA) will be accepted beginning April 8. This program is priority-based and first-come-first-serve. There is $16B in funding available for eligible operations.
Entities that suffered a 90% or greater revenue loss between April 2020 through December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Second Priority
Next 14 days of grant awards
Entities that suffered a 70% or greater revenue loss between April 2020 through December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Third Priority
Beginning 28 days after first and second priority awards are made
Entities that suffered 25% or greater earned revenue loss between one quarter of 2019 and the corresponding quarter of 2020
Supplemental Funding
Available after all Priority Periods have passed
Recipients of first, second, and third priority round awards who suffered a 70% or greater revenue loss for the most recent calendar quarter (as of April 1, 2021, or later)
Eligible applicants (publicly owned venues may also be eligible)
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 representatives
Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees.
Funds can be used for:
Payroll costs
Rent payments
Utility payments
Scheduled mortgage payments (not including prepayments of principal)
Scheduled debt payments (not including prepayment of principal on any indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business prior to February 15, 2020)
Worker protection expenditures
Payments to independent contractors (not to exceed $100,000 in annual compensation per contractor)
Other ordinary and necessary business expenses, including maintenance costs
Administrative costs (including fees and licensing
State and local taxes and fees
Operating leases in effect as of February 15, 2020
Insurance payments
Advertising, production transportation, and capital expenditures related to producing a theatrical or live performing arts production. (May not be primary use of funds)