Music Venue Trust (MVT) has launched the next phase in their SaveOurVenues initiative, calling it the Traffic Light campaign. This is specifically aimed at saving the 30 Grassroots Music Venues around the UK that are in immediate danger of permanent closure and are now marked on the ‘red list’.
MVT is an organization that represents Grassroots Music Venues across the UK and has already raised over 1.2 million with the SaveOurVenues fight throughout the last 8 months. With only 2 weeks left until the campaign deadline, the Traffic Light phase is intended to showcase the venues that are at the highest risk of closing their doors for good.
Traffic Light gets its name because of the coloured categorization of the music venues according to their needs. There are 353 green venues that will be safe without outside funding until March 31st. Amber venues are safe until March 31st if given outside help. Red venues, currently under the spotlight, are the 30 that the organization has deemed in danger of closing without funding in the next few weeks.
The MVT has worked with audiences, local communities and councils, news and radio stations and creative communities in order to raise funds to save the venues, but it is now calling on everyone else to call their local councils and demand action and raise awareness. MVT states on their website that if music venues close, ‘they’ll never come back.’
The organization is now in partnership with Crowdfunder, a platform where the public can donate any sum they choose as a donation for the cause. The 30 venues that are on the MVT’s ‘red list’ are now available to donate to individually, so locals can choose to save their neighbourhood venues.
If one venue receives an abundance of donations, then the extra proceeds will be used to save other venues that may not have been fortunate enough to meet their quota by the deadline. MVT and the venues are offering SaveOurVenues merchandise for the holiday seasons and will be donating the profits to the venues.
Music venues have been hit hard during the Covid-19 lockdowns, but these venues struggle hardest because they do not qualify for government furlough or business funding. Venues are an integral friend to communities, not only providing a platform for artists to grow in their careers but also playing a large role in the success of the economy and culture of the area. The impact of Grassroots Music Venues is important enough to save.
Donations for SaveOurVenues and Traffic Light campaigns can be made through MVT’s Crowdfunding site here. Holiday merchandise can be ordered now, available here. For those who wish to simply raise awareness, use this hashtag on all social media platforms. #SAVEOURVENUES #SAVETHE30
