As independent music venues across the nation struggle to stay afloat amid ongoing COVID-19–related financial challenges, Spotify is showing its support in the form of a $500,000 donation to the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA). The funds were reportedly divested from Spotify’s annual marketing campaigns and reallocated to NIVA.
As a gesture of gratitude for the donation, which is the second largest on record, following Anhauser Busch’s $1 million contribution, several NIVA member venues granted Spotify access to their marquee boards to “tell stories of artists whose careers were great in 2020, but were bolstered by their ability to perform at these live venues that are currently struggling,” according to Spotify VP and Global Executive Creative Director, Alex Bodman. In addition to pointing to industry talents who forged their paths inside the walls of independent venues, the marquees also issue nods to the streaming platform’s 2020 Wrapped feature.
NIVA stands behind the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund, which provides short-term relief to the nation’s most vulnerable venues, many of which are at-risk for eviction or shuttering. Learn more about the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund and donate here.
Featured image: Chris Ratcliffe
