Shuttered Venue Operators Grants portal now open for applications

The U.S. Small Business Administration has reopened the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal for operators of live venues, live performing arts organizations, museums and movie theaters, as well as live venue promoters, theatrical producers and talent representatives to apply for critical economic relief due to losses caused by shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. A link to the portal can be found at the agency’s website, www.sba.gov/svogrant.

Utah enjoys many high-quality venues that provide audiences not only a great way to spend an evening or weekend, but also contribute millions of dollars into their local economies, said SBA Utah District Director Marla Trollan. “This is magnified further when audience members are also tourists and spend time browsing downtown, stay in hotels and go to other local sites and restaurants. We are very relieved the site will reopen and hope it goes well …,” she said.

“We recognize the urgency and need to get this program up and running,” said Barb Carson, deputy associate administrator of SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance. “With venue operators in danger of closing, every day that passes by is a day that these businesses cannot afford. We remain dedicated to delivering emergency aid as quickly as possible and will begin reviewing the applications as they are submitted.”

While working with vendors to fix technology issues that occurred with the April 8 initial opening, the SBA identified and resolved other concerns and enhanced the applicant experience with the portal.

SBA’s collaboration with several live venue, cultural and related industry organizations has been vital to the agency’s understanding of the user experience for potential SVOG applicants, and the SBA will continue to partner with them through the application and grant awarding processes, Carson said.