Representatives of Hartford’s theater and arts industries gathered at the Bushnell Performing Arts Center this morning to celebrate the “welcome if delayed” approval of the Save Our Stages (SOS) relief package.
“Keeping Connecticut employed and keeping our institutions whole so that we can wait for better days is so important right now,” said Tom Loughman, director and CEO of the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art.
President Trump’s late-night signature approved a stimulus package that sets aside $15 billion for arts venues as part of $285 billion in new funding for the Paycheck Protection Program.
Unlike the previous round of PPP aid, Save Our Stages funds will come in the form of grants, not loans, and will be capped at $10 million per venue, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said at Monday’s event. The new round of PPP loans to non-arts small businesses, by contrast, are capped at $2 million and have new restrictions.
By: Michael Strickland of Bandit Lites Jason Squires/Getty Images for Pollstar
Bandit Lites Michael Stricklandaccepts the Lighting Company of the Year Award during the 26th Annual Pollstar Awards at Ryman Auditorium on Feb. 21, 2015, in Nashville.
Life often takes us places we would never imagine. This year did that for almost everyone in the world. I began my lifelong journey by starting Bandit Lites at the age of 12. My growth included the University of Tennessee College of Business and Law School. From there I engaged in the Knoxville and the State of Tennessee communities, including chairing the Chamber of Commerce for several years. My life took me into NFL and NCAA football relationships, as well as deep friendships with NASCAR and other such fields. I eventually landed on the board of the University of Tennessee Medical Center some 15 years ago, as well as many other boards and commissions. Leadership and education were always