Programs Overview

The National Independent Venue Foundation strives for authentic investment in the diversity of our communities, empowering independent live venues and promoters to have an opportunity to be catalysts for change. Steeped in entrepreneurial spirit and connected to audiences across generations and backgrounds, these venues can be hubs for social impact, combining education, artist development, cross-sector partnership, and economic and workforce development to strengthen their communities and their businesses. With thousands of venues and promoter members, NIVA and the Foundation have assembled a unique distribution network that offers a unique opportunity to create and sustain change nationwide.

Independent venues can be a new kind of cultural center. Venues can become living classrooms, creating daytime programming for school groups, offering performances and school partnerships that engage underserved populations in music-making (songwriting workshops; music productions; after-school ensembles).

They can invest in local artists, providing new streams of revenue, helping artists diversify their work and gain stability. They can apply their nimble skills in relationship building to spark collaborative partnerships with cultural, civic and social service organizations. And they can commit to building the workforce and create needed pathways for BIPOC individuals to join the music and hospitality industries at a living wage and with a sustainable career future, and to develop, own and operate venues and festivals in their communities. 

As venues create their own strategies for innovation in their communities, NIVF initiatives offer a framework for activating the deep impact possible.