17 Indiana Venues Receive Music Cities Strategy Recovery Program Grants

Today in Indianapolis (Monday, August 24, 2020) — Mayor Joe Hogsett announced the recipients of the Music Cities Strategy Program. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, this grant program emerged to help independent music venues that were affected by the Public Health Orders. This was open to independent venues located within Marion County, with the intention to assist them in covering rent or mortgage payments, as well as utilities and other overhead costs.

Mayor Hogsett has shown continued support for these grants, stating, “The success of these establishments will be key pieces of our return from the public health crisis and the comeback of our local economy. The Music Cities Strategy Recovery Program will help support venues during this difficult time and allow them to begin planning for the future.”

Musical Family Tree was able to administer the grant, through the City-County’s approval of federal CARES Act dollars. All 17 applicants were able to receive funding, for a total of $121,675 dispersed amongst them.

The Recipients are as follows:

AJ’s Lounge - Old Southside (Babe Denny)

Black Circle - Keystone Monon

Burnside Inn - Massachusetts Ave.

Chatterbox Jazz Club - Massachusetts Ave.

Duke’s Indy - Germania Creek

HI-FI Indy & Hi-Fi Annex - Fountain Square

Hoosier Dome - Fountain Square

Melody Inn - Butler Tarkington

Mousetrap - Lake Maxinhall

Radio Radio - Fountain Square

Slippery Noodle Inn - Wholesale District

Square Cat Vinyl - Fountain Square

State Street Pub - Arsenal Heights

The Jazz Kitchen - Meridian Kessler

The Patron Saint - Wholesale District

The Vogue - Broad Ripple

White Rabbit Cabaret - Fountain Square

An average of $7,398 was awarded per venue, with many thankful owners who voiced their appreciation. “A huge thanks to the generosity to the Mayor’s Office and MFT. This is a great show of support for Indy’s Music scene.” Said David Allee, Grantee and owner of the Jazz Kitchen. “On behalf of our staff, patrons, and myself – we can’t thank you enough.”

“We’re honored and grateful to the City and MFT for awarding AJ’s Lounge this much needed grant during this difficult business environment,” stated Gwen Robinson, grant recipient and owner of AJ’s Lounge. 

“We are thankful for a city that recognizes the cultural importance of independent live music venues.  The Indiana Independent Venue alliance has been working hard to provide impact data that supports important grant programs like the Music Strategy Recovery Program,” said Josh Baker, IIVA Founder and Executive Director. “We have a long road ahead, but these opportunities provide hope and instill confidence that these independent businesses are valued contributors to our local economy.”

Read more from Fox 59 here.

Read more from Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick, here.