We are venues, promoters, festivals, and performing arts centers.
Together, we’re stronger. Our stages are the center of live performance in every community, including music, comedy, theater, spoken word, and dance. Join NIVA today and become part of a movement shaping the future of independent live entertainment.
The National Independent Venue Association is the national trade association representing thousands of independent live entertainment venues, festivals, promoters, and more. We work to preserve and nurture the ecosystem of live entertainment. NIVA empowers members and their teams with exclusive benefits and advocacy on the state and federal level, as well as an annual industry-leading conference and more.
As the nation’s live entertainment association, our mission is to cultivate, elevate, and advocate for a sustainable and equitable ecosystem of independent performance venues, festivals, and promoters.
Our Mission
“We are small club owners, we produce festivals, we run performing arts centers, we are promoters, we are comedy people, we are music heads, we are multidisciplinary performing arts workers, we run for profits—big, medium, and small—and we run nonprofits at a range of sizes, we are government affiliated or part of universities and colleges, or we are part of nothing–committed, brilliant loners who just do what we do for the good of the cause.”
— Andre Perry, NIVA Board President and Executive Director of the University of Iowa Hancher Auditorium
NIVA’s 2024 Impact
In 2024, NIVA made incredible progress, driven by our collective commitment to strengthening and supporting the independent live entertainment sector.
The power of our unified community fueled these major achievements in 2024:
Debuted NIVA Savings, a group purchasing program to help members cut costs
Launched the Certified Independent program; partnering with Bandsintown to spotlight the incredible work of our members
Achieved real legislative change in dozens of communities across the country, amplifying the voices of independent venues and advocates
Hosted our largest-ever NIVA Conference in New Orleans; gathering to learn, share, and celebrate
Prepared to launch the groundbreaking State of Live Economic Research Study, ensuring independent stages have the data they need to operate and advocate effectively
These achievements are not just milestones; they are the result of a unified, passionate membership that sees a problem and works relentlessly to fix it. The infographic below details how we propelled our industry forward, how we are continuing to build out our state and local policy and advocacy, and how we have shown value to our members through a deeper focus on services.
We’re building on this progress and preparing for new heights in 2025!
History
The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) was founded in March of 2020, at the onset of global pandemic closures that jeopardized the future of independent venues, promoters, festivals, and performing arts centers. NIVA’s initial, singular goal was to secure Congressional passage of relief for the independent live entertainment sector. Their efforts resulted in the introduction of the Save Our Stages Act. Due to the tireless advocacy of thousands of NIVA members, the Save Our Stages Act became the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), and passed Congress nine months after NIVA’s formation, in December of 2020. SVOG resulted in $16.25 billion of relief for the independent live entertainment sector, the largest arts investment in U.S. history. To learn more about NIVA’s history and the Save Our Stages movement, visit our archive.
In 2023, NIVA expanded its focus from preserving and protecting the industry to cultivating and elevating the sector through national advocacy, marketing, and collective action to advance the entire independent live entertainment industry.
Awards & Recognitions
The 25 Most Influential People In Music In 2025 by Spin Magazine: Stephen Parker
Billboard's 2024 Touring Power Players, Associations Category
Billboard’s 2023 40 Under 40 List: NIVA's Stephen Parker
2022 Reed Award Winner for Trade Association of the Year – Fewer than 50 Employees
2021 Gold Pollie Award Winner for the Best Use of Social Media for #SaveOurStages
2021 APAP Awards Winners - The Sidney R. Yates Award For Outstanding Advocacy On Behalf Of The Performing Arts: Dayna Frank & Rev. Moose
2021 Clio Music Impact Award Winner
2021 The Webby Awards Winner for People's Voice Award for Best Festival or Conference - Virtual & Remote