Operators and owners of theaters, cinemas, museums, and other entertainment-centered businesses forced to close by the COVID-19 pandemic are finally getting their chance to apply for federal assistance.
The U.S. Small Business Administration today officially reopened the online application process for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, more than two weeks after a failed launch on April 8. Would-be applicants reported they could not upload needed supporting documents to the site, and after only a few hours the SBA shut down the portal, saying it would have to be reworked.
In a statement, the agency said it had completed “rigorous testing” on the new portal with positive results.
The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant is intended to support live venues, performing arts organizations, museums, movie theaters, promoters, theatrical producers, and talent representatives.
The program is open to venues that can demonstrate revenue losses of 25% or greater during any of the four quarters of 2020 compared to the prior year.
Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue up to a maximum amount of $10 million, SBA officials said.
The agency plans to sort applicants by need into different priority periods.
To qualify, applicants must have been fully operational on February 29, 2020.
A full list of eligibility requirements is available on the SBA’s website.
