The Carlisle Theatre, seen in this April 27 photo, closed amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Kate Landis / PA Post
New bill could help Pennsylvania’s struggling performance venues
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Aaron Moselle/WHYY
Kate Landis / PA Post
The Carlisle Theatre, seen in this April 27 photo, closed amid the coronavirus pandemic.
(Philadelphia) — State Rep. Jake Wheatley has introduced a bill designed to help independent live music venues hit hard financially by the coronavirus pandemic.
If passed, the Save Our Stages Act will offer $200 million in grants to independent venue operators, theaters and promoters struggling to stay afloat as a result of COVID-19 restrictions on crowd capacities.
The fund would be created by using CARES Act dollars.
“COVID has been detrimental to almost every industry in the Commonwealth, and few have been hit harder than live music venues, especially small independently owned venues. These businesses have experienced and sustained a complete loss in revenue through this health emergency, and there is no end in sight. Accordingly, this industry needs assistance,” said Wheatley in a news release.
Under the SOS Act, eligible grant recipients include those that organize, promote, produce, manage, or host ticketed live concerts, comedy shows, theatrical productions, or other events by paid performing artists.
They must have fewer than 500 full-time employees and cannot be publicly traded companies, own or operate venues in more than one country or more than 10 states, or receive more than 10% of their gross revenue from federal funding.
No grant can be greater than 45% of the venue’s gross revenue from 2019 or $2 million, whichever is less.
The money can be used for a wide range of expenses, including payroll and benefits, rent, utilities, insurance, and personal protective equipment.
“It is critical that we make an effort to preserve this industry, which is a jewel of the Commonwealth’s Cultural Crown,” said Wheatley. “It is also important to assist this industry as it is an important aspect of the live music ecosystem that includes dining and lodging.”
Kimberly Paynter / WHYY
The Wilma Theater in Philadelphia lit up red for industry professionals out of work due to the pandemic.
Earlier this month, Gov. Tom Wolf issued new guidelines for crowd sizes in indoor spaces.
For spaces built to hold 2,000 people, the limit is 20% of maximum occupancy. For venues that can hold up to 10,000 people, the limit is 15% of maximum occupancy. For venues that hold over 10,000 people, the limit is 10% of maximum occupancy – up to 3,750 people.
In Philadelphia, indoor theaters and performance spaces can now operate at 10% capacity, with a maximum of 250 people permitted in larger venues.
Pa. experiencing ‘fall resurgence’ of COVID-19
With daily case counts of COVID-19 on the rise, Pennsylvania officials are again urging residents to adhere to the state’s pandemic protocols.
“We need to mask up, wash up and maintain social distancing,” said Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine during a Monday news conference.
Pennsylvania has reported more than 1,000 new positive cases of COVID-19 for each of the last 14 days.
Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are also on the rise and will likely continue to rise if the upsurge in daily case counts continues, said Levine, adding that “everyone needs to take this very seriously.”
Levine attributes the rise in daily case counts to large gatherings, businesses, such as restaurants and bars, as well as relatively small gatherings among family and friends.
The state has now reported more than 180,000 positive cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.
Statewide, the positivity rate is 4.3% — the highest it’s been since Aug. 7. Nearly a third of Pennsylvania counties are reporting a positivity rate of more than 5%.
WHYY is the leading public media station serving the Philadelphia region, including Delaware, South Jersey and Pennsylvania. This story originally appeared on WHYY.org.
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
