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Committee backs creation of Music & Entertainment Venue Recovery Fund after widespread public comment
Summary
The Budget & Finance Committee voted to forward an ordinance establishing the San Francisco Music & Entertainment Venue Recovery Fund — a grant program administered by the Office of Small Business with consultation from OEWD and the Entertainment Commission — after dozens of venue owners, workers and advocates urged robust funding and faster action to preserve local venues.
The Budget & Finance Committee voted on Feb. 3 to forward to the full Board an ordinance to establish a San Francisco Music & Entertainment Venue Recovery Fund intended to provide grants to music and entertainment venues whose operations were heavily impacted by COVID‑19.
Chair Matt Haney described the proposal as a targeted mechanism to assist venues that may not be served adequately by broader small business programs. Sharky Laguana, president of the Small Business Commission, outlined how the Office of Small Business would run rulemaking in consultation with OEWD, the Mayor's budget office and the Entertainment Commission and would include venue operators and independent sector representatives on any subcommittee drafting rules.
Committee members adopted the approach and the item received extensive public comment: more than 60 callers — venue owners, managers, artists, venue staff and community supporters — described lost revenue, mounting debt, limitations of federal and state relief programs, and the cultural and economic importance of independent venues. Several callers and industry advocates urged that the fund be substantially larger than the $1.5 million initial allocation discussed by the Mayor and proposed by staff; they cited examples from other cities and a San Francisco venue coalition request for up to $48 million to provide more meaningful relief.
Chair Haney said the committee's action moves the ordinance forward and that the Mayor had indicated willingness to contribute from a city relief package; he also said the fund is intended to be a vehicle for private donations and potential matching. Supervisors and presenters noted prioritization criteria in the draft that could include: imminent risk of closure, legacy business status, longevity in operation, and whether a venue had received other relief funds — cultural district status was one of several prioritization factors but not a requirement to apply.
Representative quote
"Venues have been among the first to close and they remain among the last to reopen — they are cornerstones of our city's culture and economy," — Chair Matt Haney.
What's next: The ordinance moves to the full Board with a positive recommendation and rulemaking will proceed at the Office of Small Business with input from the Entertainment Commission and industry stakeholders. Advocacy groups urged larger appropriations and expedited implementation.
Closing note: The committee expressed broad support for preserving venues and indicated the initial action is the first step in a longer recovery and fundraising effort.
