The New Jersey Independent Venue Association (NJIVA) has been launched to help keep venues alive during a pandemic that has forced them to close or reduce seating capacity dramatically. Over a dozen venues throughout the state are already on board. Indie venues were the first to close and will be the last to open due to the pandemic. A majority have had a very difficult time accessing relief funds from State and Federal programs.
NJIVA’s mission is to unify NJ’s diverse and proudly independent venue owners, operators, and presenters to foster mutual support and resource sharing, and advocate as a unified group for our shared priorities in order to preserve and nurture the ecosystem of independent venues, large and small.
"At a time when many indie venues are facing closing forever, our theaters have come together to help each other and advocate for our interests on the state level," says Sara Scully, HT's Executive Director and Founder.
Venues in the NJIVA (as of December 2nd) include: 1867 Sanctuary Arts and Culture Center, Ewing, NJ; Anchor Rock Club, Atlantic City, NJ; ArtPride New Jersey Foundation, Burlington, NJ; Bananas Comedy Club, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ; Bird and Betty's, Beach Haven, NJ; Debonair Music Hall, Teaneck, NJ; Hopewell Theater, Hopewell, NJ; Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown, NJ; McCarter Theatre Center, Princeton, NJ; The Newton Theatre, Newton, NJ; Outpost in the Burbs, Montclair, NJ; Roy's Hall, Blairstown, NJ; and State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ.
Venues have played a crucial role in the development of NJ’s performing artists for over half a century by nurturing local, national and international talent, and providing a platform for these artists to build their careers and develop.
NJ’s independent venues - both non-profit and privately owned - provide thousands of jobs, as well as millions of dollars in salaries, revenues, charitable donations and taxes. Therefore, it is critical to preserve and nurture the ecosystem of NJ independent venues, large and small. For more information on the organization, click here.
