Live Music Society venues

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Bossa Bistro

Live Music Society awarded $1 million in grant funding to 58 small music venues in 2024. Now the non-profit is preparing to open its 3rd Annual Music in Action grant application in January.

The Music in Action grant was introduced in 2023 and is designed to help develop audiences, encourage community engagement, boost visibility, and promote diversity while empowering small venues to take creative risks through curated live programming. Recipients of the grant have been able expand their reach in their local communities.

“Thanks to the Music in Action grant from Live Music Society, we have widened our reach by addressing significant need in the local Hispanic community,” says John Pense, venue manager for The Spot on Kirk in Roanoke, Virginia. “Ten exciting events make up our ‘Música y Cultura’ series, within Hispanic Heritage month and beyond, including music, dancing, art, and even comedy from extremely talented local, regional, and touring artists.”

Meanwhile, the Bossa Tributary Project at the Bossa Bistro brings together culturally connected ensembles to showcase the music of specific cultural spheres, reflecting the rich diversity of Washington D.C. These concerts feature talented musicians from around the world, blending global incluences and showcasing the vibrant spirit of D.C.’s music scene.

Rebel Rebel Studio & Lounge’s Pop Pop! Emerging Artist Incubator Program in Berea, Kentucky offers workshops led by industry professionals on essential topics like sound engineering, branding, grant writing, and activism in the arts. Participants host open mics and curate monthly music nights.

Applications for the next cohort of small music venues to receive grants will open in January 2025. In addition to the $710,000 in Music in Action grants awarded earlier this year, last month Live Music Society distributed over $290,000 in Toolbox grant funding to another 34 venues—the most recipients awarded in a single round. The Toolbox grant was the second program launched in 2023, designed to support practical needs and enhance the day-to-day experience for artists, fans, and venue staff.

Live Music Society’s reach also broadened to include venues in Nevada, Kansas, and Georgia, demonstrating their growing impact across the country. Since its founding in 2020, the non-profit has distributed $4.1 million through 210 grants to 180 small music venues, supporting live music spaces, emerging talents, established musicians, and affordable access to music in under-served communities.

In 2024, they hosted the first Music in Action Summit, bringing together 31 grantee venues to share knowledge and inspire collaborations, underscoring their commitment to strengthening the independent venue ecosystem nationwide. Their partnerships with organizations like NIVA, the House of Songs, and the Americana Music Association show their dedication to fostering creativity and protecting the spaces where musicians can grow.