While many associations are struggling to keep their doors open amid the economic downturn caused by COVID-19, at least one new group has formed to help its members survive the pandemic.

The National Independent Venue Association officially launched April 17 with more than 450 charter members in 43 states and the District of Columbia, according to the group's website. Membership is provided at no cost, with the primary purpose of the organization to bring independent music venue owners together to speak with a single voice as they lobby for federal funding amid the pandemic.

"Music venues were the first to close and will be the last to open," Dayna Frank, NIVA board member and owner of First Avenue in Minneapolis, said in a statement. "It's just brutal right now, and the future is predictable to no one. We can't envision a world without these music venues, so we've created NIVA to fight for their ability to survive this shutdown, which we hear could go into 2021."

NIVA noted that the live music industry generates billions of dollars annually for the world economy. The group has retained lobbying firm Akin Gump to advocate for the independent venue industry.

"Most of us have gone from our best year ever to a dead stop in revenues, but our expenses and overhead are still real, and many will not make it without help," said Gary Witt, CEO of Pabst Theater Group and founding member of NIVA. "Our employees, the artists, and the fans need us to act."

NIVA has no staff and lists a New York City address for its office address.

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