Hopewell Theater, McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, the State Theatre in New Brunswick and ArtPride New Jersey Foundation in Burlington have joined forces with other indie venues in New Jersey and/or live entertainment promoters to launch the New Jersey Independent Venue Association (NJIVA).
To date, more than a dozen venues or promoters have joined NJIVA as of press time: 1867 Sanctuary Arts and Culture Center in Ewing; Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City; Bananas Comedy Club in Hasbrouck Heights; Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood; Bird and Betty’s in Beach Haven; Debonair Music Hall in Teaneck; Hunterdon Media Partnership in Flemington; Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown; The Newton Theatre in Newton; Outpost in the Burbs in Montclair; and Roy’s Hall in Blairstown.
“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,” Sara Scully, Hopewell Theater’s executive director and founder, said in a prepared statement.
Indie venues were the first to close and will be the last to open due to the pandemic, according to the statement. A majority have had a very difficult time accessing relief funds from state and federal programs.
NJIVA’s mission is to unify New Jersey’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.
For more information, visit https://newjerseyiva.wixsite.com/njiva