The end of December brought more than just holiday cheer.
The Save Our Stages Act, which is geared toward benefitting the live music industry, passed as part of the COVID-19 Relief Bill. The act will offer financial assistance to live music venues across the country and to local venues like the Heights Theater, 339 W. 19th St., and White Oak Music Hall (WOMH), 2915 N. Main St.
The Save Our Stages Act was supported by the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), which began lobbying for the legislation in August of last year, and was headed up by U.S. Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.
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A new public art installation in greater Northside Houston is aimed at raising awareness of and providing resources to victims and witnesses of human trafficking.
Part of UP Art Studio s Mini Murals program, with funding through the city of Houston, the murals highly colorful and visible from the street are painted on traffic control cabinets by local artists. They include the phone number for the National Human Trafficking Hotline, alongside uplifting images of birds, flowers and butterflies.
“Art can improve awareness, inspire change and encourage healing,” read a statement from Debbie McNulty, director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. “Through the artwork of Houston-area artists, we aim to provide a resource for individuals most vulnerable to human trafficking within a community very much impacted by this tragic issue.”
City of Houston donates $5 million to local arts groups and creatives Groups such as Houston s A.D. Players received city aid.
Photo by Joey Watkins Photography Houston’s gig economy workers have been hard hit during the pandemic artists and creatives especially so. To that end, several local charities have stepped in to offer aid. Most recently, the Houston Music Foundation gifted $15,000 to area professionals, with funds largely raised by local rap legend, Bun B. Now, the City of Houston has announced a total of $5 million distributed to artists, cultural organizations, music venues, and musicians. The CARES funds were distributed to 691 recipients (226 artists, 308 musicians, 36 music venues, and 121 arts and cultural organizations) via the Mayor s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) in collaboration with Houston Arts Alliance (HAA), and Mid-America Arts Alliance (MAAA), according to a press release.
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It’s no secret that the live music industry and all of its moving parts are hurting. Since the pandemic began the sector has been at a stand still with limited means to gain income for artists, venues and their support staff.
As the government passed the long awaited COVID-19 relief package, which thankfully includes 15 billion dollars of relief for theaters and music venues, the entertainment industry can breathe a small sigh of relief but the battle for survival continues.
A large part of the relief package is the $600 stimulus check which many Americans will be eligible for and anxiously awaiting as so many have gone most of the year without a steady income or any income at all.