Workforce Development
Venue Operations Experience (VOX)

Want to Get Your Foot in the Door at an Independent Music Venue?
Whether you're interested in digital marketing, front of house operations, or learning the ins and outs of live show production, the VOX Program offers the training, mentorship, and real-world experience to kick-start your career.

We've locked in our '26 VOX Host Venues and are stoked about this lineup!

Be A Mentor!

If you’re an experienced pro ready to support emerging talent in digital marketing, FOH operations, or production, we’d love to hear from you. As a mentor, you’ll provide real-world guidance as participants move through the VOX program and prepare for entry-level venue roles. This form is interest only, not a commitment, and final mentor placements will depend on program capacity and participant needs. Click below for more info and the Mentor Interest Form.

Ready to Mentor? VOX 2026 Interest Form

thank you to the 2025 mentors!

Event poster for Summer 2025 organized by NMV Foundation, VOX, and Nightlife United featuring photos and names of speakers and organizers including Ariel Palitz, Brian Major, Daniel Romandia, Darren Morze, Drake Watkins, Greta Cornett, Jamie Kent, Jason Geisinger, Jim Wakefield, and Jorgen Krug.

The National Independent Venue Foundation (NIVF) presents two distinct Venue Operations eXperience (VOX) training programs, each designed to support under-recognized groups in the live entertainment industry (POC, women, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities). These programs provide hands-on training, mentorship, and intern opportunities to help participants build careers in live entertainment.

Stylized logo with the word "VOX" in large, bold, blue letters with a black background.

TENNESSEE VOX PROGRAM: Digital Marketing

A 4-month program in the summer that is focused on digital marketing within live entertainment venues, offering real-world experience and career-building opportunities.

Program Highlights:

📚 15 virtual gamified training workshops
💼 12-week paid internship at a TN local host indie venue
🎓 3-month mentorship with an industry expert
🎟 Free 3-day streaming pass to NIVA '26 Conference
📝 Resume and career workshop
🌐 Networking opportunites & extended learning resources

2026 Participating Cities in TN:

📍 Chattanooga
📍 Memphis
📍 Nashville
📍 Pelham

NOW CLOSED: TN APPLICATIONS IN REVIEW

NATIONWIDE VOX PROGRAM: Digital Marketing, Front of House Operations or Production

A 4-month program designed for individuals seeking careers in digital marketing, FOH operations or production within independent music venues.

Program Highlights:

📚 15 virtual gamified training workshops
💼 8-week paid internship at a local host indie venue
🎓 3-month mentorship from industry professionals
🌐 Networking opportunities, resume workshop & extended learning resources

2026 Participating Cities:

📍 Denver, CO
📍 Fort Collins, CO

📍 Tupelo, MS
📍 Sioux Falls, SD
📍 Walla Walla, WA

NOW CLOSED: CO, MS, SD & WA APPLICANTIONS IN REVIEW

📍 Brooklyn, NY
📍 Central Park, NY

NOW CLOSED: NYC APPLICATIONS UNDER REVIEW
Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you to our program partners: Bohemian Foundation, Inherit the Music, Levitt Family Foundation, Nightlife United, and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.

Please consider supporting the Venue Operations eXperience workforce development program and help lay the groundwork for more equitable opportunities in the live entertainment sector. For more information, please contact Christy Culver at christy@nivf.org

make an impact - donate today!

Meet the summer 2025 COHORT GRADUATES!

Check out these amazing people joining and supporting our industry! Impressively, 86% of the 2025 cohort secured job offers!

A digital poster for the Summer 2025 VOX event hosted by the NVF Foundation, featuring headshots of 15 young people with their names, aligned in a grid against a blue wavy background. The poster includes logos for the event and the host organization.
Poster for the NVF Foundation Summer 2025 event featuring headshots of 15 diverse individuals, with names underneath, arranged in three rows. The background has swirling blue wave patterns, with logos and text indicating the event is for the NVF Foundation, held in Summer 2025, featuring VOX at a venue for operations and experience.